Matthew Oehninger Fornella

Matthew Thomas Oehninger Fornella left this world entirely too soon on January 10, 2024 at the age of 36. We are comforted to know that he is now at peace without any pain or suffering.

Matthew was born in Norfolk, Virginia on May 8, 1987. He had a happy youth with his family and friends and loved playing sports, especially basketball, soccer, and tennis. Each winter holiday he enjoyed going to Uruguay to spend time on the beach and on the soccer field with his dear cousins and extended family. He attended St. Pius X Catholic School, Catholic High School, and Cox High School.

He graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Business and Finance. He worked in Northern Virginia as a senior brokerage operations specialist before taking on a role as a business director at a law firm.

Matthew loved many things in life - his friends, his music, sports, his family, and his dog Lily. He was an avid fan of Peñarol (Uruguayan soccer team), the Minnesota Vikings, Hokies football and basketball, English Premier League, La Liga, and the NBA - particularly Vince Carter. His smile captivated his loved ones, who were constantly entertained by Matthew's impromptu jokes and quirky sense of humor. A natural musician, Matthew was a talented guitar player who covered a wide variety of music. He was a loyal Phish follower and concert-goer.

He is survived by his parents Sergio Carlos Oehninger and Maria-Laura Fornella and his brothers Sergio Federico (Lara McCauley) and Juan Sebastian, sister Natalia Delaune (Tony Delaune) and niece and nephew Adriana and Anthony Delaune, as well as dozens of uncles, aunts, and cousins in Uruguay.

A visitation will be held at Great Neck Chapel (1264 N. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA) on January 15 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. with a wake service at 6:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church (7800 Halprin Drive, Norfolk, VA) on January 16 at 11:30 am followed by a reception in the Parish hall. In lieu of flowers, family and friends may honor Matthew with a donation to St. Pius X Catholic Church (https://spxnorfolk.org/giving).