Matthew John Coates
January 12, 1966 - December 25, 2022
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." - The Shawshank Redemption
Matt was the beloved son of Aurita and Jack Coates, brother to Christine (Jack), Janet (Clyde), Kim, and Brad, loving Uncle to Jack, Sam, Lily, Natalie, and Ryan. He was a dear cousin, godfather, and devoted friend. Matty's genuine warmth and kindness will be remembered by all who knew him.
He was born in San Francisco, grew up in San Bruno, and played Pee-Wee baseball and football for Capuchino and the College of San Mateo. Matt graduated from UC San Diego with a BA in Communications. He worked with his family for 31 years at Golden State Flooring.
Matt spent summers in Lake Tahoe and enjoyed traveling to Colombia, Thailand, and throughout Europe. He followed the Giants and the 49ers, loved listening to old school music, watching action movies and re-runs of Law & Order.
Matthew was committed to his recovery and an active member of AA. In 2019 Matt was diagnosed with ALS and fought hard through it all, committed to the spirit of the line, "to get busy living." On good days, Matt's keen sense of humor and his bright blue eyes shined. Matt and his family are grateful for the wonderful care he received from Margarita, Jahaira, Marta, and Paul.
Matthew left this world on Christmas day. Matt was truly a gift.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Roberts Church, 1380 Crystal Springs Rd., San Bruno on Saturday, January 14th at 12:30 pm, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The ALS Association Golden West Chapter or a charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Dec. 29, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Matthew Coates

Sponsored by Chapel of the Highlands.

23 Entries

Scott Larwood

January 22, 2023

A very kind person from John Muir to Cap. Last time I saw him was in Sears Driving School. He talked me into buying "Houses of the Holy" at Tanforan.

John Murphy

January 17, 2023

Matt played on my flag football and basketball teams at John Muir Playground. He was especially good on defense in basketball. As a fifth grader, he started on a team that went 19-0. He did a lot of the thankless stuff like setting screens so that others could score. I can picture him as a 10-year-old -- blue- and-white John Muir Jaguar jersey, jeans, sneakers, shaggy brown hair (or maybe it was sandy blonde). It's been a while. Matt was good-natured and selfless. He didn't care who was scoring the points. I think he just liked playing and being part of the team. I enjoyed seeing him and his mom at Eamon Bowler's memorial service. I have only fond memories of Matt.

Chris Schenone

January 14, 2023

Our family lived across the street from Matt and his family. We have a lot of great memories growing up with Matt. He will be greatly missed. Our condolences and prayers go out to the Coates family and may he Rest In Peace...God Bless.

Schenone Family

Richard Manning

January 13, 2023

Richard Manning

January 13, 2023

My wife and I worked along side Matt @ Golden Stare Flooring from 1998 to 2012. Before joining the company, I thought "tongue and groove" was a medical term but with Matt´s patience and encouragement he helped me navigate the choppy waters of a mid-life career change. I will always be indebted to Matt for those acts of selflessness. I found his personalty always engaging, his wit hilariously diverting, his compassion for others forever inspiring... plus he was a damn good cook.

With much affection,
Richard and Mary Manning

Brian McDonagh

January 11, 2023

Brian McDonagh

January 11, 2023

Brian McDonagh

January 11, 2023

Matt was a traveler, a comedian, a lover of music, sports and Lake Tahoe. He was a beautiful person. I am privileged to be able to say: he was my friend.

Steve Astesano

January 7, 2023

Matt was more than a best friend to me he was a brother. We spent our formative years knowing and growing with each other's families.
I learned so much from Matt and his wonderful family. He touched so many people's lives with his intelligence , charm , wit , and kindness. No one who knew him will ever forget him.

Cheri Sparks

January 7, 2023

Rita,
We send our sincere condolences. May God provide you with comfort and peace as Matt is now in His care.
Hugs and love,
Cheri and Burnie

Chris O'Sullivan

January 4, 2023

Matt and I went way back to 1971, when we became best pals at five years old. We shared a million adventures and misadventures over the following years. I was very fortunate to have him as a friend. His good nature was the very essence of who he was, and he had me laughing along with him from pre-kindergarten right through to rooming with him in Honolulu during our epic post-graduation summer of 1984. The kinds of things people say about the departed are often cliches but, as we all know, those things were only too true about Matt: His essential goodness (did you ever know anyone who was more kind?), his love and loyalty toward his friends, his generosity of spirit, his spontaneous sense of fun. We were lucky. We were enriched just by knowing him. That he was our beloved friend was one of life´s great gifts.

Stacey Friedlander

January 2, 2023

Matt Coates, I remember your intelligence, warm personality and beautiful eyes. You are missed. Rest in peace.

Carolyn Piva Owen

January 2, 2023

Our family lived up the street from the Coates family on Madison Ave. We all have lots of fun memories growing up with the family. We are so sorry to hear of Matt´s passing. Sending you all lots of thoughts, prayers and hugs. The Piva family

Steve Angeloni

January 2, 2023

Matt Coates Teammate San Bruno Pee wee Champions Wilkinson Construction 1976.Thank God , for baseball in heaven

Sharee Taylor

January 1, 2023

Sending condolences and prayers.
Matt will be dearly missed
Shared many laughs at GSF

Jennifer Prescott

December 30, 2022

Oh Matt, we are going to miss you so much. You were such a kind and considerate person and so much fun to be around. All those great nights at TGIFridays. So many great memories. RIP my friend. Condolences to your family.

Frank Aquilina

December 30, 2022

Mattie, I met you at parkside. I enjoyed being your friend over the years. I always appreciated our conversations. Whenever I had to buy wood I´d go out of my way to buy it from you. Man those orders always took a long time, due to our bs ing. In the last 10 years or so. My favorite conversations with you revolved around recovery. I can´t tell you how happy I am that you experienced life a sober man. You touched a lot of people with your kindness and wit. Thank you for being my friend, business associate and brother in sobriety. Cya soon

Jill Thompson

December 30, 2022

Lisa Jenness

December 30, 2022

A very wise man once taught my daughter Alyssa how to bake the correct wayfrom scratch! He had the kitchen accoutrements to back it up also. He was also the king of the wrestle, toe cracking (of others) and the pellet stove. He loved his pets from cats to gophers. His wit was a family traitfrom Sergey Bubka to the Pro from Dover. If you were lucky enough to bestowed friendship, it was fierce and long-standing. I will never forget hearing about the wrong turn. Whether celebrating your cat, a birthday or being the best man at my wedding to Mike, you always did it with gusto, with precision, with wit, with adoration and with much love in your heart. XO Every story brings a smileuntil we meet again. Happy trails ❤You will be missed.

Jill Thompson

December 30, 2022

The first time I stole my parents van in the 8th grade I rode around picking up friends to join in the joyride, Matt was 1 of those people who came joyriding. Then there was the summer when he & I & a group of friends were into going swimming at the Cap pool at 2&3 AM. Another great memory was hanging out at Village Host Pizza in the Bayhill Shopping Center. I was there in Tahoe too with friends to go hang out with Matt because he worked up there during the summers. These are ONLY a drop in the bucket of memories I have of Matt & I´s friendship. Those of you who are reading this will remember these memories I share. Matt, you were truly 1 of the Greats! I love you my Friend!
Aloha Oe & A Hui Hou
(Farewell to You for Now &
Until We Meet Again)

Michael V. McCormick

December 30, 2022

Matt Lived around the corner from Matt, and I had the opportunity to play little league baseball with him. He was a great friend and he was always smiling. Everybody Loved Him. I'll never forget you Matt, and God Bless Your Wonderful family, Michae V. McCormick

Margarita Veronica Blanco

December 29, 2022

From the first day I met you at Parkside, I knew you were special. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendship these 40-plus years. Rest in love, my friend.

Amy (McNaughton) Forester

December 29, 2022

I first met Matt in the 7th grade. Matt was smart, funny and kind to everyone. He will be missed. Sending love to his family.

Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results