Matthew Thomas Anthony

Matthew Thomas Anthony, 44, of New York, NY, passed away on June 18, 2025, drowning while trying to save two friends in distress in a river in California's mountains. He is survived by his father, Paul L. Anthony, his brother John R. Anthony (Rebekah), his sister Martha L. Anthony and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Susan Ellen and his infant sister Mary Susan.
Matt was born in Saint Louis, Missouri, to Paul and Susan, on January 28, 1981. He graduated from Chaminade College Prep School in 1999, and went on to obtain an AB in classics and philosophy from the University of Notre Dame in 2003. He then pursued graduate studies in classics at New York University (MA), and in 2006 he joined the faculty of The Heights School in Potomac, Maryland. In 2007 he also became director of Tenley Study Center in Washington, D.C. He was fluent in Latin, classical Greek, and Spanish.
From 2011 until his death, he served in administrative positions for the Catholic Prelature of Opus Dei in the United States (Chicago, 2011-2015; New York 2015-2017 and 2022-2025) as well as at the world headquarters in Rome (2017-2022). During much of that time his work focused on youth programs, inspiring young men to excel at their work and to live a life of service to their family, friends, and society.
Matt was a strong and cheerful person gifted with many abilities that he placed at the service of others, first as a schoolteacher and mentor, and later in other positions of leadership. He was reflective and decisive, combining rigorous reasoning and a capacity for getting quickly to the bottom of complex issues with an ability to execute and to inspire those around him to give the best of themselves. Whether in big or small matters, he was always ready to help regardless of any inconvenience to himself.
He took after his father in his love for history and the biographies of great leaders. He inherited his mother Susan's smile, and outgoing, engaging personality. There is nothing that Matt enjoyed more than a good cigar while engaged in friendly conversation or reading a book in a rare moment of relaxation.
Matt lived his Catholic faith deeply and consistently. He died the way he lived: trying to help others in an act of selfless courage.
A wake will be held on Tuesday, 7/15/25 at Hutchens-Stygar Funeral Home, St. Peters, MO. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, Dardenne, MO on Wednesday, 7/16/2025 at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow immediately in the Church hall and then burial will take place afterwards at Resurrection Cemetery in St. Louis.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Woodlawn Foundation; Angels Recovery Dive Team; or to Birthright.