Matthew BAXTER

1942 - 2022

BAXTER--Matthew Andrews, "Andy", 79, a prince among men and one of the last true gentlemen, died at his home in Lyme, CT with his family at his side on Monday, Feb. 21st. Born in New York City on April 18, 1942, Andy grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, attending Hawken School. He was a graduate of St. Paul's School (1960), Yale University (1965), and after several years selling insurance for The Equitable, earned his M.B.A. from Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business (1973). He began his career in finance serving in senior positions at Dreyfus Corporation, just as mutual funds were taking off. Following his time at Dreyfus, Andy became Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Instinet Corporation, which founded the electronic stock trading industry and became the largest electronic stock trading firm in the world. After retirement, in his second act of life, Andy committed himself enthusiastically to several organizations he held close to his heart. He served on the board of NatureBridge, an organization devoted to environmental education, where his son had worked. He served on the board of the Florence Griswold Museum and was a trustee of St. Paul's School. He served as treasurer and as a trustee of the Land Lyme Conservation Trust, as an overseer of The Amos Tuck School, and on the board of Vista Life Innovations. His involvement with and support of each of these organizations were profoundly impactful and an inspiration to all. His generosity and willingness to give of his time were boundless. Andy married Carley Cuniff, the love of his life, in 1984. Through her battle with breast cancer, Andy witnessed what quality end-of-life care could be. In Carley's memory, and in recognition of Dr. Peter S. Dixon's "good doctoring" at the end of her life, Andy created The Cunniff-Dixon Foundation with the mission of improving the art of medicine and surgery for people nearing the end of their lives. The Foundation has become a guiding light at the national level in honoring and enriching the physician-patient relationship in late-stage illness, promoting the value of palliative/hospice care and recently creating Planning My Way, an advanced health care planning guide. The Foundation's principles and Dr. Dixon's care enabled Andy, as Carley before him, to die peacefully at home with family and loved ones at his side. Among his many accomplishments, Andy was proudest of The Cunniff-Dixon Foundation and the gift it gave to physicians, patients and families across the country. It will remain his most important legacy. Andy roared through life. He believed in doing everything to the fullest, whether it was working, running a marathon, playing cowboy pool, fishing, entertaining or being a friend. Mentoring others was always more rewarding and of greater importance to him than any career success. Andy's wisdom and counsel, his kindness and enthusiasm, and his willingness to speak his mind will be sorely missed by many. Andy had two children with his first wife, Kate Baxter. He lost his son, Matthew Andrews Baxter III, in a rock climbing accident in 1996. He is survived by his beloved daughter, Eliza Riley, 49, of Mill Valley, CA, two grandsons, Matthew, 17, and Huck, 15, and his sister, Anne Baxter, whom he referred to as his best friend. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Cunniff-Dixon Foundation, PO Box 800, Essex, CT 06426. A memorial service will be held later in the spring, with details to follow.