Funeral for my Brother

Hi everyone,

My brother Matt passed away on December 31st, by way of suicide. The funeral is going to be this Saturday at 12PM;

St Stephen's Lutheran Church
2500 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

Anyone is welcome to come if they feel like it. As some of you know, he and I were very close and fished together a lot and went camping and hiking together frequently.

He was an addict and after surgery on his spine and neck, the pain medication ended up being a gateway to stronger drugs. Then a whole host of mental health issues occurred as a result. He is at peace now, but I miss him. I know I haven't been around a while (and probably won't be anymore because I've been dealing with knee bursitis for 7 of the last 18 months) but I know some of you knew him.

Anyway, you're welcome to come by.

Super sorry to hear about Matt's passing man.  I would come out Saturday but I have previous obligations.  Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Sorry for your loss.  RIP my fellow yakker!

I've met you and your brother at Shadow Cliffs a few years ago. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your brother.

Damn brother sorry to hear that 

Condolences to you and your family

Damn so sorry to hear and I pray for your loss.

So sorry to hear this. My condolences to you and your family

I’m so sorry. RIP Matt.

You have my deepest sympathies RBark.
I can recall meeting you and your brother at the ramp some years ago at one of the Kayak Connection derbies. Your smiles were contagious.
So sorry for you and your family. I do know some great fishermen that will take good care of Matt until you see each other again.

Wow.  This hit me hard.  I'm so sorry, Ryan.

When you and Matt came to Gimme Shelter some years back I was so impressed with both of you and have considered you both good friends of mine ever since.  Matt's support for you as a brother was clear and strong, and I admired how you both interacted with each other and with others.

At another subsequent GS Matt's son left his jacket at the fish printing event, and I ended up linking up with Matt to arrange to get the jacket back to his family.  Just that transaction and the communications around it were strong confirmation and validation of what good people you guys and your family are.

We are lucky, because NCKA has the potential to make such connections, and at the same time we are also subject to the pain and sorrow of loss that occurs within our community.  I'm hurting for you, brother.

Please do not hesitate to call on me for anything at all.  Much love to you and your family.

RIP, Matt - you were well loved.

Condolences, Ryan. RIP Matt.

Sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family 😢😢

I know I am a stranger to you but your post struck very close to home.  I lost my brother 3 years ago and his story was the same.  He was haunted his whole life by drugs and alcohol and his life ended because of it. I don’t know about you but I always knew how his story would end - and I couldn’t do anything to change it. I’m so sorry for your loss. 


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  That is absolutely heartbreaking to hear, Ryan. Even though we only hung out a handful of times, I remember each interaction...Matt was a really good person. Last time I saw him at the Cove we talked about his truck because I’d just bought a Ram too. I’m not sure what to say, but I feel awful for your family. I hope you know that many people care about you. And your brother was loved.

Oh Ryan, I am so sorry to hear this.  I had no idea Matt had those troubles. He was a good man. Very sad.  Let me know whatever anything I can do to help you and your family.

Allen