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Matthew Kurkjian Obituary

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Matthew Barnes Kurkjian

Matthew Barnes Kurkjian, beloved son of Jeff and Joy Kurkjian, died of ALS at his home in Darnestown, MD on September 4, 2023. He was 67. He is survived by his son, Michael (Jessica Holzberg), his daughter, Lane; his partner, Katherine; his brothers, Andy (Terri) and Tim (Kathy), and many nieces and nephews. Matt was born and raised in Bethesda, MD. He lived the last 35 years in Darnestown. Matt taught mathematics and coached baseball at Good Counsel and Pallotti High School before becoming the IT director for the Amalgamated Transit Union. He and Andy played baseball at Catholic University, they are in the school's athletic Hall of Fame. In July, CU baseball coach Ross Natoli established an annual award in Matt's name: The Ultimate Teammate Award. A banner with Matt's uniform No. 2 will hang forever on the outfield fence at CU's home ballpark. Matt leaves a legacy of care, concern, and kindness to all. A small funeral for immediate family only will be held shortly. A celebration of Matt's remarkable life will take place at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Project Mainstreet (www.projectmainst.org) to help provide direct financial assistance to people and families living with ALS.

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Published by The Washington Post on Sep. 7, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Matthew Kurkjian

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Kathy McCarthy McCreedy

November 29, 2024

Andy Kurkjian, My heart broke when I read your loss. I know you and Matt both played CU Baseball. I pray for your family. Hope other aspects of your own life are going well. Peace, Kathy McCarthy McCreedy.

Janet Strausser

November 11, 2023

How could someone so important to me be so important to so many others. I knew Matt for over 40 years during which he always made time for me and made me feel special. He was a great, kind human being who made everyone he knew feel better about themselves. There´s a part of me that will always be sad because he´s not here any more.

Rob Alberti

September 29, 2023

I remember Matt from the ball field. He played for Mercury Van Lines, which my father owned, and was everything a young man should be. Competitive but the right way, got the most out of what God gave him, no question Tim and the rest of the family will miss him a great deal.

Juanita Virgil

September 20, 2023

Matt was truly a special person. His personality was contagious as he was always cheery. He was very knowable in his job at ATU. I enjoyed him sharing stories of his trips to various locations. He will be missed but not forgotten.

Mark Cowan

September 9, 2023

Matt was one of the good guys. His kindness, friendly nature, and sense of humor were wonderful gifts he had. I´m going to miss him very much. If you were still here I would have one question for you. Got a key? Rest in peace my friend.

Randy Graham

September 8, 2023

Our thoughts and prayers are with Matt and his family. He will be remembered by his ATU family for the many hours he spent in our history room at conventions taking time to answer any questions asked. His smile, kind and positive attitude was appreciated by those who knew him.

Anna Patrick

September 8, 2023

Uncle Matt was one of a kind. He will be dearly missed by everyone. If you knew Uncle Matt you knew never ending love, strength and happiness. He cared so deeply of everyone especially his family and extended family. I love you Uncle Matt and will miss you dearly. Praying for the days ahead. He will be watching over us all.

Kim Lefelar

September 8, 2023

He always lead with kindness and joy. Greg and I will hold dear the times shared with Matt and the family. He fought so bravely - may he now find rest & renewal in the hands of our Lord. Rest in his peace Matt.

Marney Jacobs

September 7, 2023

Matt's Ashburton round 2 friends are saddened to hear of his death. We loved the time we spent with him when he came back to Ashburton to work as a paraeducator. He brought kindness and understanding to the students, always a positive word to the staff and was a pleasure to be with. Many of us formed quick close bonds with him and he made an impact on all of us. What a man! My condolences to his beloved family. Marney Jacobs

Tina T. Evans

September 7, 2023

I'll always remember Matt as being a wonderful employee of ATU. It was a pleasure knowing Matt. He was very professional in his IT work for ATU, but, I'll
always remember his very jolly personality and his love for his family. He often talked about the big family trips they went on with his brothers and their friends. He also loved his mom. I will miss that smile and him coming through the office snapping his fingers and saying peachy. RIP Matt and take your wings.

From ATU employee
Tina T. Evans

Robert Molofsky

September 7, 2023

So very sorry to hear the news of Matt's passing. We were close friends from his earliest days at the ATU, and worked closely together on the COPE programs and efforts to update the ATU membership systems. Ultimately despite his best efforts the PC systems won out over the mainframe. We spent a memorable time during the 1992 convention, sharing the same table for meals. It was then I learned of his penchant to cut all his food into bite size pieces, before eating! He had a tough job maintaining the systems in the face of few who knew anything about the ASA 400. He did love baseball, and I can still see him in full uniform exiting the ATU at 4:45 to join his team. He was warm, direct, a realist and brilliantly organized, with every aspect of his work laid out in a growing stack of notebooks. He spoke often of his two children MIchael and Lane who he adored. The ATU was made stronger because of his untiring efforts and I will miss him. So very sorry to learn of struggles with ALS. My deepest sympathies and condolences to Matt's family.
Robert Molofsky,

Shawn Perry

September 7, 2023

Matt was one-of-a-kind. Always cheerful, always kind. He celebrated every life he came in contact with. He always enjoyed your company as much as you enjoyed his. He could talk about the great questions of life, as well as laugh at the simple absurdities around us. Like so many, he was my friend. I will never forget him.

Nancy Trumbull (ATU)

September 7, 2023

Like many, I considered him a dear friend and one of the kindest people I have ever met. Deepest sympathy to the family he loved so much.

Barbara Davis

September 7, 2023

My condolences to Matt's family. He was my friend at Ashburton ES and we shared many laughs together sharing lunch and recess times. I loved working side by side with him!

Christiane Gregorio

September 7, 2023

Matt will be missed... My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends everywhere during this difficult time. May he be at peace!

Christiane Gregorio (Matt's former coworker at AES)

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