Matthew Abrams

1981 - 2018

Matthew Singer Abrams

January 15, 1981 - July 4, 2018

Matthew Singer Abrams passed away the evening of July 4th surrounded by family and friends after a courageous 5-month battle with cancer. He was 37 years old.

Matt was born in San Diego. He attended La Jolla High and college at UC Santa Barbara. Matt grew up a star water polo player, training with long-distance swims in the La Jolla Cove, and paddling outrigger canoes. He was a die-hard fan of his Southern California sports teams, the Lakers and Chargers, and had a lifelong love and admiration for sharks (dorsals up).

Matt's hard work and commitment in sport translated to an unmatched work ethic in his career. He was dedicated and passionate about the work he did and inspired in others. He started as a TV news producer for the local Fox and CBS affiliates in San Diego and made the switch to sports when he moved to San Francisco to work for Comcast/NBC SportsNet. Matt was a talented producer, and won multiple local Emmy awards, including for one of his favorite documentary pieces, "The Town Game -- Two Lives, Two Paths."

It was in San Francisco where he met his wife and partner of 10 years, Marisa. Their connection was immediate and they approached life together with the same vigor that Matt did with all things. They traveled the world together, including trips to India, Southeast Asia, South America, Australia, throughout Europe, and South Africa.

Matt's career also led them across the country, including two years in Los Angeles where he worked as a producer for NFL Network, New York City for USA Today Sports, and most recently Connecticut as Director of Digital Video Operations for ESPN.

Matt was loved by so many -- for his sharp wit, sense of humor, fierce loyalty, incredible work ethic, love for adventure, and most of all, for his giant heart. Matt lived life to the fullest and enriched the lives of everyone he touched, which are many.

He is survived by his wife, Marisa Veroneau, his parents Joyce and Dave Abrams, aunt Laurie Singer, parents-in-law Ray and Peggy Veroneau, brother and sister-in-law Brian and Melissa Veroneau, nephews Colin, Griffin, and Sean Veroneau, a large extended family, countless friends, and his lovable dog Bean.

There will be a celebration of Matt's life at a later date in San Francisco, and many memories shared in his honor in the meantime.

For those who would like to make a donation in Matt's honor, the family has recommended the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (https://secure.jhu.edu/form/kimmel) and Oakland Animal Services (http://www.oaklandanimalservices.org/how-to-help/donate/).