16-09 2021 21:22
wrote:
We are still reeling from the news that Matthew has gone and finding it impossible to believe. He was such a vibrant guy full of life, mischief, fun and wisdom. Having known Math all his life as his first cousin I remember him as a kid displaying all those qualities - bar the wisdom which came as a surprise much later when he turned into a pillar of society and he took on the role of patriarch of our extended family.
But, in adulthood, Matthew still retained his wayward side: Howard and I were privileged to be invited to his team’s post Argus cycle race bashes where he displayed his best party loving self. We’d always have a wonderful lunch that carried on all afternoon with wine flowing, following Matthew’s strategy of starting with expensive bottles and then going down and down in price when everyone was beyond noticing. He would sit there for hours, holding court while we took turns to sidle up to him for a banter. Then when we were all ready to go home, Matthew would start on the spirits until Barbara had to carry him to the car.
But Math had his serious side as a real mensch and loyal friend and family member. He took on responsibility for sorting out my mom's unfortunate housing situation after she was widowed and negotiated a brilliant settlement for her. And he and Barbs never forgot her birthday or the anniversary of her death. He once said to me ‘The world is divided into people who are either doers or watchers’ to which I added ‘..and givers or takers’. Matthew was a doer and a giver for sure.
So so sorry to lose him. We were looking forward to meeting again in all sorts of interesting cities and having fun. Always.
We wish long life to Barbara, Greg, Sam and Andrew and their partners and to Jo and Jacob and Jonathan.
With love Marsha and Howard
16-09 2021 21:22
wrote:
We are still reeling from the news that Matthew has gone and finding it impossible to believe. He was such a vibrant guy full of life, mischief, fun and wisdom. Having known Math all his life as his first cousin I remember him as a kid displaying all those qualities - bar the wisdom which came as a surprise much later when he turned into a pillar of society and he took on the role of patriarch of our extended family.
But, in adulthood, Matthew still retained his wayward side: Howard and I were privileged to be invited to his team’s post Argus cycle race bashes where he displayed his best party loving self. We’d always have a wonderful lunch that carried on all afternoon with wine flowing, following Matthew’s strategy of starting with expensive bottles and then going down and down in price when everyone was beyond noticing. He would sit there for hours, holding court while we took turns to sidle up to him for a banter. Then when we were all ready to go home, Matthew would start on the spirits until Barbara had to carry him to the car.
But Math had his serious side as a real mensch and loyal friend and family member. He took on responsibility for sorting out my mom's unfortunate housing situation after she was widowed and negotiated a brilliant settlement for her. And he and Barbs never forgot her birthday or the anniversary of her death. He once said to me ‘The world is divided into people who are either doers or watchers’ to which I added ‘..and givers or takers’. Matthew was a doer and a giver for sure.
So so sorry to lose him. We were looking forward to meeting again in all sorts of interesting cities and having fun. Always.
We wish long life to Barbara, Greg, Sam and Andrew and their partners and to Jo and Jacob and Jonathan.
With love Marsha and Howard
