Matthew A. Vana

Matthew Austin Vana, who as a young child insisted on being called Matt, died suddenly and unexpectedly of a cause yet to be determined on September 6 at his apartment in Danbury. He was 40 years old.
Matt's death came as a shock to the many people who knew and loved him. His passing is a great sadness for them, most especially for his mother, Marietta Homayonpour, who loves him so very much. He also leaves behind his brother Adam and his wife Vanessa, and his sister Karen and her husband Jeff. And Matt will be missed by the many friends he made who enjoyed his company and his smile, including the compassionate staff and clients at Ability Beyond and the Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in Danbury.
Born at New York University Medical Center in Manhattan on May 27, 1985, Matt lived his first year of life in Brooklyn, NY. He moved with his mother and wonderful, energetic, multi-talented father, George Vana, to New Fairfield, Connecticut in 1986. George died when Matt was five years old.
Matt went through the New Fairfield school system, graduating with a Diploma of Distinction from New Fairfield High School in 2003. Though he took part in team sports-soccer, lacrosse-Matt's passion was snowboarding and skateboarding, in which he excelled at both. And he continued to skateboard as well as pursue another love-hiking--until his death.
Though he did not graduate, for several years Matt attended Western Connecticut State University in Danbury where he majored in creative writing for which he had a special talent. And he minored in philosophy, an area of study close to his heart.
Over the years, Matt had his struggles, mainly with mental health issues. But he never gave up. He persevered and was making a better, more productive, more enjoyable life for himself when he died. Though he would dismiss any praise of himself, Matt was smart, creative, had a quirky sense of humor, and was a good person. He was also his own person, doing things his own way. (Which sometimes meant he was a pain in the butt.)
Music was a very important part of Matt's life, and his apartment was filled with acoustic and electric guitars and synthesizers and a very memorable Pink Floyd poster.
In memory of Matt, please play music that you love, or read a book of philosophy, or books by Hunter S. Thompson or Philip K. Dick, two of Matt's favorite authors, or see an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
A remembrance and celebration of Matt's life will be held on Thursday, Octorber 16th at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury from 2-4pm.
And if you wish, please donate in Matt's name to the NFSAW animal shelter at 223 State Route 37, New Fairfield, CT 06812, or to Ability Beyond, 4 Berkshire Blvd, Bethel, CT 06801.