Matthew Thomas Goebel

Matthew Thomas Goebel, also lovingly known by family as “Mattchu”, 42, of Jacksonville, FL, passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Kindred Hospital surrounded by family. Born on July 7, 1983, in Fayetteville, North Carolina to Elaine Bedard-Goebel and Steven Paul Goebel. Matthew, a native of Worcester, Massachusetts, graduated from Worcester Vocational High School in 2002 with a certificate in welding. He moved to Florida in 2003 and enlisted in the Navy in 2008 and continued to serve proudly in the Navy as an active service member until his passing. Matthew was posthumously promoted to AD1 and served both as a Naval Aircrewman and Naval Aviation Mechanic.

Matthew found the love of golf from his maternal grandfather whom he called “Pépère” and they both enjoyed going to the driving range or a three-par course to “hit a few balls” around. In high school he joined the golf team and played all four years.

The oldest of three children, Matthew took his role as “big brother” serious and was always there for them to lend a hug, a kind word or a good laugh to brighten their day. Matthew became a proud father to his daughter, Nadia, in 2009 and in 2014 married the love of his life, Sasha, and his world was complete.

Matthew is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Emile L. Bedard and Shirley J. Bedard and his paternal grandfather, Paul T. Goebel.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sasha Melendez-Goebel, his daughter, Nadia Y. Goebel, his parents, Elaine M. Goebel and Steven P. Goebel, his siblings, Christine A. Williams and her husband, Tyrone Williams, his brother, Jonathan L. Goebel, and his nephews, Aaron A. Williams and Miles A. Williams, and his mother-in-law, Ely Melendez and father-in-law, Rafael Melendez. He is further survived by his paternal grandmother, Trudi Floyd-Goebel and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the Navy personnel, more particularly, the men and woman who guided them throughout this process with unlimited support and compassion.

The calling hours will be held at Naugle Funeral Home on July 27, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a Celebration of Life Service for Matthew to be held on July 28, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Naval Chapel followed by interment at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project or K9sforWarriors.org.