Theo Mathias Maryeski

1973 - 2024

New London - Theo (Mathias) Maryeski was born in New London, Nov. 9, 1973, and died in Antigua, Guatemala, April 14, 2024.

As a young child, Theo's family moved to Quebec City, where he went to French school and spent his youth playing hockey, skateboarding and snowboarding. It's hard to describe Theo to people he never met, but if you had ever encountered him, you would not forget the experience. He was unconventional, unique and genuine, with a magnetic joie de vivre and a gift for engaging in interesting conversations. He graduated from College St-Charles-Garnier and was co-president of the school his senior year. Working for many years as a manager at Montmorency Falls Park in Quebec, he was also an early adapter in the Dot Com world. An avid music enthusiast, he followed Phish to many concerts around the country. Yet it was his journey across the United States in his VW Westphalia van, accompanied by a dear friend, that solidified his love for travel. Returning to Connecticut, Theo worked at Caruso Music, Spindrift Guitars and Three Belles Marina, sometimes kayaking to work in New London. He was a founding member of Bike New London and volunteered there while he lived in the area.

After traveling extensively in Central and South America, Theo settled in El Paredon, the surfing capital of Guatemala. He owned a plot of land on the water and had a small business renting surfboards. Endangered sea turtles lay their eggs near there and Theo organized boat trips for tourists to observe the turtles and help raise environmental awareness. And he never stopped skateboarding. Motivo Urano Guatemala, a Christian Mission near El Paredon, had a large skate ramp and promoted skateboarding to engage local youth in healthy activities. Theo supported the mission with donations of Vans sneakers, skateboards and children's books.

Theo loved fishing and spending time with the tourists who visited El Paredon, many who became friends. Watching the sunrise and sunset, preferably near one of the many volcanoes he hiked up in Guatemala, was where he found peace. In memory of his grandmother, he collected rosaries from many countries. He was an avid reader of nonfiction and especially liked books about adventures in the mountains and the arctic. Since he was a child, he loved "The Little Prince." He collected various editions of the book and gave them to people he met, speculating there was a connection to Antigua in the text. Theo had an extraordinary head for numbers and remembered all sorts of facts. And he loved art. His graffiti tag was "Call your Mom," which he wrote everywhere in his travels.

Theo was a free spirit and lived his best life, on his terms. But he left us too soon because of complications of a long-term illness. He lives on in the memory of his parents, Suzanne Madara Maryeski and Thomas Maryeski; his sisters and brother Mia Madara Maryeski, Nina Lauren Madara Maryeski and Justin Maryeski; niece and nephews Juno, Phoenix and Jasper Jones; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, his godmother Anne Madara, and many friends, in many countries. He was predeceased by grandparents, Mary and Ralph Madara and Lillian and Joseph Maryeski.

There will be a funeral Mass at 2 p.m. Monday, June 17, at St. Joseph's Church in New London and Celebrations of Life will be held in both New London and Quebec City. Those who wish can send memorial donations to Bike New London, Community Bike Shop, 399 Williams Street, New London, CT 06320 or Motivo Urbano Guatemala https://tinyurl.com/mrrkx8ku.