Matthew J. Beach

Matthew Beach, age 79, of Shrewsbury, MA, passed away on September 13, 2025.

He was born on September 10, 1946, in Saginaw, MI, the son of Glenn Morgan Beach and Jean Houlihan Beach, and beloved step-mother Jean Malcolm Beach. Matthew attended public schools in Saginaw before enrolling at Colombiere College to study for the Jesuit priesthood. After three years, he transferred to Syracuse University, where he completed his bachelor's degree and was a brother in Beta Theta Pi.

In September 1970, Matthew married Nancy Graves Beach. They made their home in Massachusetts and raised two children, Katharine and Andrew (1982–2009).

Matthew embraced a veritable kaleidoscope of skills and interests: writing and reading poetry, singing, photography, swimming, cycling, rowing, wood-working (especially walking sticks). In brief, he expressed his creative impulse in any manner possible. His professional life spanned advertising, public relations, administration, sales, education, and administration, where his creativity and wit found expression in his work.

For many years he and his family returned annually to Grand Traverse Bay in Michigan for vacations with extended family.

Matthew lived a deep life of faith in the community of Church of the Nativity, Northborough, at various times serving as a lay eucharistic minister, singing in the choir, and leading a contemplative prayer group.

Matthew is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; daughter Katharine (Kate) Sackton; son-in-law Timothy Sackton; grandsons Isaac and Nathaniel; brothers Jeff Beach and Ben Beach; sister Sue Godwin; as well as dear in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Beach family between 4 - 7 PM on Friday, October 3, 2025 at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury. His funeral service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday October 4th at Church of the Nativity, 45 Howard Street, Northborough, MA - kindly proceed directly to the church, please. Burial will be held privately for his family.