Matthew John Temchatin

Matthew John Temchatin of Drums sadly passed away while working in his yard on Oct. 26. He was 44 years old.

Matt was a 1997 graduate of Bishop Hafey High School and a 2001 graduate of Bloomsburg University.

Matt or "Barkley" as most people knew him, was a selfless person who spent more time doing for others than himself. Throughout his life, he developed a love for sports and Hip Hop music. The friends and community he established through each is vast and immeasurable.

The love he had for his family was unmatched. Everything Matt did was for his family. He would spend hours on the court with his children, Max and Molly. He was always up for a road trip to cheer on his beloved 76ers with Max, to watch Molly play basketball in Brooklyn or to enjoy a Hip Hop show. Matt loved his wife, Missy, and cherished the life and family they built together.

Matt impacted the Hazleton community in so many ways. He could be seen on both soccer and baseball fields coaching his kids when they were very young. Matt served as president of Valley East Little league for three years. As his children got older, they settled into basketball, where Matt coached local teams for both Max and Molly, then expanded to various travel teams for his kids to have more opportunities. He coached the boys Drums Middle School basketball team last season. Matt, along with his close friend, Frank Stish, created Freeland Wolfpack, providing all children in the Hazleton area the opportunity to get on the court and play. There is not a gym in Hazleton that you could not find Matt in. Watching games even when his own kids weren't playing, coaching a team, taking the books, refereeing, offering words of encouragement or advice to any kid on the court.

Matt loved hip-hop music from a very young age. This love grew into a community of relationships and an extensive vinyl collection. Matt's passion was to get the album covers autographed by the artists and he created a following on Instagram as @hiphopautographs.

Matt never loved anything halfway. He was a genuine, kind person. He was always present in his family's life, his friends' lives and passionate about his interests. He remembered your story. He had an infectious smile and laugh you could recognize from any distance.

Matt leaves behind his loving wife, Melissa; and his two children, Max, 13, and Molly, 12.

He was preceded in death by his father, the late John "Jack" Temchatin.

He is survived by his mother, Angela Tamone Ogin and her husband, Howard; brother, Christian Temchatin and family; cousin, Eamon Merrigan and family, Dr. Maryann Merrigan and Basil and Kathy Temchatin.

A celebration of life will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Butler Twp. Community Center, 411 W Butler Drive, Drums, PA 18222.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the non-profit Matt co-founded, 570FORTHEYOUTHFOUNDATION (Freeland Wolfpack), 544 Segal Court, Hazleton, PA 18201 or a donation directly to Matt's family.

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home, 229 W. 12th St., Hazleton, is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent at www.moranfuneralhome.com.