Matthew V. Marotta

It is with deep sadness that we share news of the passing of Matthew V. Marotta of Longmeadow who died unexpectedly on October 25 during the course of a long illness.

Matt grew up in Springfield and Longmeadow, playing soccer and baseball. He graduated from Longmeadow High School and earned a BS in Kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He was a certified Emergency Medical Technician and shared his care for others in several healthcare positions including at Future Health in Springfield and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, as well as in Physician Assistant clerkships in hospitals and medical practices across the state. He developed an expertise in custom signature folding knives, first as a hobby and then into a thriving business so treasured by his clients. He especially enjoyed the search for rare and one-of-a-kind knives, refurbishing, and the designing and creating of knife scales, cords, and other accessories.

Matt loved walking on the beach and hiking in the woods, drawing and painting, playing his keyboard and listening to music, carefully selecting gifts for family and friends, weightlifting, cooking, all kinds of learning and solving puzzles, as well as training, grooming and just spending time with his beloved golden retriever Pax.

Among his most cherished memories were time spent with friends, especially at the beach, and with dear cousins, from holidays and vacations in eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire, to trips to Rhode Island, California, Hawaii and Mexico.

Matt will be missed by all who knew him. He leaves his parents, Edward J. and Marsha V. Marotta of Longmeadow, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Calling hours will be Saturday November 22 from 1-3 p.m. with a service and celebration of life beginning at 3 at Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 N. Main St., East Longmeadow. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.