Matthew Lee Harder

1969 - 2022

Harder, Matthew Lee ALBANY Matthew Lee Harder went home to God and his father April 12, 2022. He didn't suffer. His heart stopped, and his brain lost oxygen for too long before he was resuscitated. Matty had a huge heart filled with warmth and kindness for his family, friends, and complete strangers. He made everyone around him laugh, and his amazing spirit brought joy to any gathering. He was like a giant hug in person. As a matter of fact, many have been pulled into a big bear hug upon meeting him. He loved his family with a fierceness that can not be forgotten. Matthew was predeceased by his father, Robert Lee Harder. He is survived by his mother, Pauline Harter; his daughter, Natasha Harder Bailey, and her mother, Nicole Bailey; his sisters, Michele Harder (Gregory) Lesko, Lisa Harder, Sheila (Joe) Kosakowski, Linda Wolfe, Pamela (Olin) Browne, and Patricia Mohr; his brothers, James (Tina) Campanella, Rick (Laura) Campanella, and Robert Harder; his nephews, Carter, Jackson, Calvin, RJ, Chace, Sean, Liam, Morgan, James, Damian, Shane, Leigha, Olin Jr., and Alexandra; many Harder cousins, and, finally, his partner Michelle Hammond. "And spirited from sleep, the astounded soul Hangs for a moment bodiless and simple As false dawn" - Richard Wilbur, Love Calls Us to the Things of This World. "I take my waking slow. I learn by going where I have to go." - Theodore Roethke. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. in the Magin & Keegan Funeral Home, 891 Madison Avenue.Relatives and friends are invited and may also call on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Interment will be private.