I met Matt for the first time on New Year’s Eve 2018. NYE has always been a favorite holiday of mine because I get to spend it with the “game night” crew at the Fragale’s house. This year was particularly exciting because we were all meeting Gracie’s boyfriend for the first time! Matt fit right in with our loud, competitive bunch. I remember how much fun we all had playing cards, playing Jeopardy, and singing songs. 

At some point in the evening Matt and Grace were cuddled up on the Fragale couch. I’m not sure how we got into it but we started talking about Instagram. Gracie was the first one to make their relationship “Instagram official” when she posted a picture of them standing in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Of course I had to tease Matt about this and asked why he too wasn’t “insta official” with their relationship. Almost immediately, Matt handed me a phone and asked me to take a picture of him and Grace, and it was posted on Instagram that same night! That moment said so much about Matt’s character. He put up with my silly teasing and showed that he could hold his own in our big extended family. He was also fiercely in love with Grace and was more than ready to make it “insta official.”

I would need to write a whole book to appropriately tell all the stories of my good buddy. He LOVED to go on trips, and LOVED Going to Husker games. I am forever thankful I got to experience LOTS of both with Robo. We played youth sports against each other. And knew of each other when we became friends and teammates at LSW. We played football and basketball together for 4 years. Countless locker room memories, practices, games, bus rides, and team dinners together. He always wanted to be friends with everybody! And was so good at making a meaningful connection with anybody he came into contact with. It was truly a gift he had. From going to Colorado multiple times, Kearney for Elliot’s bachelor party, Des Moines for a Rebelution concert, robo always was the planning master. Always had an itinerary for our trip to keep everybody organized. Know when and where we would be going. And of course how much money everybody owed him for setting it all up! I will always and forever look up to your seats in the South stadium at Memorial Stadium, and wish I was up there with you for just one more game. Love you so much Robo, thank you for being my friend and brother, and for bringing Gracie, Mattie, your family, and the Fragale family into my family forever 

Matt drove a purple minivan in college, lovingly known as the “RoboVan”. From picking friends up while they were walking to class, or picking up freshman who were walking the wrong way home from a party – Matt made everything fun and it was always a fun time in the RoboVan.

I have known your mommy and your nonna and nonno for many years as we went to the same church and your aunts and my girls all attended Preston High School.

I never met your dad but i grew to know him through your mom amd her family and their bazillion pictures and videos. And your dad was such a presence. What a big man he was and what a little woman your mom is! And the difference would make me giggle. When somebody is really really big, they’re often thought of as a big, duffy kinda guy… sorry for the stereotype. But your dad really really portrayed a beautiful, happy guy from the Midwest who met a Bronx girl and was swooped into her big Italian family. (you will learn all about it. It’s the greatest thing ever) And then I would see pictures of them visiting your dad’s family and friends and just thought these people have it all and are soooo lucky…. Nope… so blessed.

Your mother became a new woman when she met your namesake. She grew a smile that I never saw in another human being. She was transformed, not physically, but in a way like she only saw sunshine, rainbows and butterflies! It was the most beautiful thing ever to see both of them, so happy together!

And then there was you! Your beautiful mother captured the moment she found out you were going to be a part of their life on video, and the overwhelming joy would bring football players to their knees! Everyone of their pictures and videos afterwards were just infused with love and excitement and smiles and kisses and belly rubs as you grew and they loved on you and each other BIG.

In this life, we can’t know everything …we learn from other people. We learn not to touch a hot stove, we learn not to eat dirt… not because we did it ourselves, but because other people told us about it from their experiences. And athough I didn’t know your dad personally, I knew him through your mom and her family and every picture and video there is.

So in closing, I tell you beautiful Mattie Juliette that your daddy loved you, just as he was, BIG.

Not surprisingly, before Matt, Grace’s dream man was Italian. How could it not be? Someone with the same values as you, similar cultural background and the focus on family… well and best food, language, I could go on for hours! Hah. Of course, it made me laugh when she was going for coffee with someone from Nebraska, what I felt like was the true opposite of Morris Park. But the laughing stopped almost immediately when I realized this guy was it. Kara and I fielded texts from Cristina (my personal favorite pastime when it came to Grace’s love life, sorry Grace but you get it) but that stopped quickly as well when she realized that this very tall Cornhusker from Nebraska was Gracie’s person. I will never forget Grace’s first trip to Nebraska and the pictures of her on a tractor and feeding animals. I texted her almost immediately about God’s sense of humor – she asked for an Italian boy and she was now sitting on a farm in the Midwest with her future husband.

But the thing is, God knew what he was doing. Matt had all of the qualities she wanted, with a passion to learn about Grace’s culture. He loved the language, her family, the food. He was the most non Italian, Italian boy I know. And Grace needed Nebraska, she needed the complete opposite to push her out of her comfort zone. She needed the amazing support system Matt had in place for himself. She didn’t need an Italian boy from up the road, she just needed exactly who Matt was all along.

And as a side note… two lies I will continue to tell myself for the rest of my life for Matt’s sake. Ross in Friends is the best character and that there is more traffic in CT than NY. Neither is true, but I’ll believe whatever you want me to, Matt.

I worked with your daddy at HA Media Group. I was Art Director and created projects for your daddy. He knew exactly how he wanted things done and I was more than happy to achieve that. When he got new glasses, I would have to update his face logo with the new shape of the glasses, I always got a kick out of that. Loved the bowties.

Your daddy was a very nice man and I truly enjoyed working with him. He friended me on Facebook before he moved to New York. I watched his life unfold on Facebook. I was so very happy when he met your mommy. I continued viewing posts and watched the magic between your daddy and mommy in pictures, it was beautiful.

And then dear Mattie you were formed from that magic, how perfect, just like you sweet Mattie.

Matt was an Eagle Scout. Once on an early spring weekend campout, he was kayaking on a lake. Two older boys were inappropriately walking on an iceberg on the lake, when the ice broke and the boys fell under water. Matt quickly rowed over to them, stabilized the kayak, pulled the boys into the kayak and got them safely back to shore. The Boy Scouts of America recognized Matt with a National Heroism Award.

Didn’t know Matty long but his smile matched him, totally larger than life and lit up a room. Watch over your beautiful family always.

On November 4, 2018, Grace brought Matt to the Franza house to sort of “screen him” before she introduced him to the big scary Fragale family. I instantly knew Matt was the one for Grace and he made her light up like I’d never seen her light up before in our almost ten years of friendship. Matt instantly fit into our crew and my husband Joe and I felt like we knew him for years. We talked about careers, football, television shows, travel and everything in-between. Later that night after Grace and Matt had left, I found two things on my phone: a selfie of Matt that he took (how did he get my phone?!) and a text from Cristina Fragale. Cristina was concerned that Grace was moving too fast with “this guy” and asked my thoughts. I told her once she had the pleasure of meeting Matt that I thought she would feel extremely different about this one. I’m so glad I was right.

I use to baby sat your mom. my beautiful memories was when your dear Dad, proposed to your mommy. It was so beautiful and magical. they were and will be the perfect couple for ever. love you mattie.

Matt and I both starting working for AAA in September of 2018 as advertising sales representatives. Matt with Your AAA in Long Island and myself with AAA World in Connecticut. We first met in Plymouth MA.

For a sales call- Of course at a coffee shop. He always knew how to find the best coffee shops.

From the moment I met him I knew he was one of the nicest men I would ever know. He taught me so much about sales and marketing world. I am lost without him.  We traveled all over New England on sales calls. Going to Boston was so much fun. I am a huge Red Sox Fan and of course he loved the Yankees. He even took a tour of Fenway Park. We took the trolly tour around Boston like 2 tourist. We had to go to Little Italy (Mike’s Pastry) to get cannoli and many other Italian desserts. We then headed to Gloucester MA of course met at a coffee shop before going to meet our client.

Everywhere all over New England he would make me laugh. I am so happy to have had the chance to meet Matt and travel from Sept 2018 to March of 2020 with him.

The absolute best memory has to be a conference at Foxwoods Casino. Playing the penny slot machines with Matt and laughing so hard my stomach hurt.

I could go on and on however, one day I would like to Mattie myself what a great daddy she has watching over her. XO

I always told Matt if my daughter wasn’t 10 years older than him and married he would be the one I would want her to marry. Matt – the sweetest, kindest, caring man I have ever met.

In May 2022, Matt and Grace were coming over to watch Survivor, just like they did almost every Wednesday night. I asked Matt beforehand if he would mind taking a look at my door, as there was an issue with the locking mechanism and he is much handier than my husband or I 🙂 Within minutes of arrival, Matt started working on fixing the door. He worked hard while Grace and I watched Survivor and chatted it up about baby names and baby items. We didn’t have all the tools he needed to complete the job, so Matt went home to get more supplies instead of just giving up. Grace asked Matt to bring her back something to eat (she was 7 months pregnant!) and he made the questionable decision of bringing her pizza from 7-11, which we all laughed at (still not a true New Yorker we joked). Matt of course completed the job, as he could never let anyone down and to this day my door still works thanks to him 🙂 A one of a kind man who would do anything to help a friend out.

100% pure love your parents had for each other! A love like no other!! Matt is so missed. I know he’s watching over you and your Mommy.💖 Happy heavenly birthday to one of the greatest guy ever. Xoxo

Cathy/Tom/Grace and family – on behalf of myself, Mary and the Nebraska Soccer players, coaches and managers, I want to express how deeply sorry we all are to hear of Matt’s passing. I remember him always with a smile on his face and willing to lend a hand as a teenager when he was around the soccer office or at soccer camp. His kindness and friendliness were always there for all to see. As a grew older, the smile and kindness never left him.

I am deeply overwhelmed in sadness for your loss of a fine son, husband, brother. I knew Matthew as a fine very young lad in pre-school days. He was one of my all time favorite little guys. I will keep you all in my deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers in the difficult days, months and years ahead without Matthew here on this earth.
Love and Prayers, Connie Wostrel

I had the pleasure of teaching Matt fourth grade at Humann Elementary School. I remember him as a student who worked hard in the classroom and played hard on the playground. Matt was well liked and respected by students and staff alike. I am heart broken to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the family!

Matt and I went to school together at Humann Elementary. We were in class together in 1st grade in Mrs. Clark’s room for at least some subjects. Every year, the state of Nebraska had a writing contest where students could write about a favorite teacher they had. I wrote a story about Mrs. Clark and listed off all of my favorite things. Then I included “she even moved me away from Matt R.” The story was published in the newspaper and Cathy called my mom laughing about it. I’m not sure what happened to prompt me asking her to move or what my first grade self thought 🙂 Matt is an amazing person and he has impacted so many people. I hope his legacy lives on through his beautiful family

I wanted to write to express my sympathy for the greatest loss imaginable but also to share my gratitude for knowing Matt.

I had the distinct privilege of meeting Matt back in 2014 during a business conference in Annapolis, Maryland. I wondered, who is this tall young hotshot suddenly at the center of everything? From the start, it was evident that Matt was impressive.

I spent the next few years watching Matt blend a rare mix of creativity, business savvy and emotional intelligence, all with a positive can-do attitude.

When the opportunity arrived to bring Matt to New York to work as part of my team, I jumped at the chance. And after many (many!) conversations deliberating the pros and cons of moving across the country, Matt made up his mind and courageously made the leap.

One day, while we were chatting at work, I told Matt about my burning desire to visit every MLB ballpark with my son. Matt shared a page out of his father-son playbook. He recommended that I hang a bat rack and buy a small wooden bat at every stadium so my boy would always have it to display…just like he had with his dad.

I feel the loss of Matt deeply but am grateful for the eight years we got to know each other through work. I hope Matt’s family finds solace in knowing they brought up such a wonderful person, and I have no doubt that his spirit will live on in Mattie and all that had the good fortune to know him.

As for that bat rack, we will always keep it hanging in his honor.

Myself, James Butler and our friend Dom were fortunate enough to play with Matt during his last round of golf on May 12th at the Preston outing. The tournament style was scramble so your team would go to the best hit ball each time and Matt joked at the beginning that we would never be using his ball. Matt had been telling us for quite some time how interested he was in getting better at golf because he knew he had a great shot but sometimes hit the ball all over the place. That day we had so much fun playing as a team trying to achieve the lowest score possible while also kicking back some High Noons. The best moment of the day though was on the 18th hole when Matt swung out of his shoes and hit the best tee shot of the day 300 yards straight down the fairway. We all immediately started telling him how awesome of a shot that was and Matt was so proud of himself and vowed next time we played to make every one like that. I know Matt is crushing golf balls up in heaven smiling down on all of us.

In true Matt form, always trying to understand how everyone in our crazy Italian family was connected and related during our 2021 Christmas party Matt gave Kevin a new name while playing poker that always makes us laugh. Matt was trying to understand how Kevin was related to the Gambilonghi/Fragale family and as Peter tried to explain it, Matt in his loving witty way decided that Kevin was his “Uncle Father” and that’s what he would call him anytime he saw him after that. Matt’s heart was as big as his size and will always be part of our family forever! We love you always Matty Sticks!

We were lucky to have such a great fan. A drummer and disc golfer too! My guy.

When Grace first introduced us to Matt in 2018 I instantly knew that this guy was a special one. It was easy to see just how much love Matt had for Gracie in those first moments of knowing him. And as I got to know him better through family gatherings and game nights I only saw that love grow. I asked Grace for some relationship advice in 2019 and the way that she spoke about her relationship with Matt made me so excited. I remember thinking to myself, “Wow, this is the kind of love that I thought only existed in fairytales. It’s a love that I hope I can have someday.” And their wedding in September 2021 was exactly that: a fairytale. You could feel their love pour into everyone who was there. At the end of the night my face hurt from smiling and my feet hurt from dancing. I’ll never stop looking up to Matt and Grace’s fairytale love.

This is my story, the way I met Matt. I was in the Fragale living room for some occasion. Something you should know about the Fragale living room it’s the place to be. Birthday parties, New Years celebrations, Christina’s meatballs, Peter’s pizza, and they even tape cable TV game shows there indeed the place to be. One day my wife and I were there for a family gathering. Grace walks in and says I want you to meet my boyfriend Matt. It was love at first sight, not for Gracie for me. I turned to my wife Patty and said little Gracie’s boyfriend Matt is bigger than my Honda Civic. I was drawn to Matt the entire night we spoke and I found him to be so warm, loving, and special. I could not understand why I liked Him so much. He wasn’t from the Bronx. Wasn’t Italian, his name didn’t end in a vowel. He was 6 foot 5 and I was 5 foot 6. We had nothing in common but I came to love this guy so much in a short time. At the end of the night I called Gracie aside and said I love this guy if you don’t Marry him I will. I went to Matt hugged him and tried to kiss him but I wound up kissing his belly button. So if you see me standing on a chair in several pictures you will understand why. I had to come up with a way for a little guy like me to hug and kiss his face. We danced at Gracie’s wedding and he held me in his arms like l was a little baby. Dear Matt in such a short time you captivated all of us, as for me I will always love you and I will never forget you buddy. Love Mario forever!

After seeing how close Matt & Gracie had gotten by the Spring of 2019, I told Gracie to bring him as a date to our wedding. I am so glad that he was there to celebrate. I went back to our photo booth gallery and found some real gems. They made me smile. Hope it does the same for everyone else. xo

I wanted to share some of the pictures and videos on my phone here. Oh Matty. Thank you for opening your arms up to us and embracing us as your extended family. I’m so happy you came up to my house and we got to spend time with you and Gracie and AnnaRose. I wish I had something better to offer you than probably cheese and pizza. My favorite memories are of you and my dad. I don’t know how the standing on the chair thing started but it was never a party without it happening. Anddd somewhere along the way it turned into you holding him- clearly the pictures show how happy it made him. ❤️ Till we meet again, and when we do.. I’m not paying a cover charge at the gates of heaven. Seems like heaven needed a bouncer up there.
Love you forever.

Miss you Matt. You were my nephew and the love of my niece, Gracie’s, life. Best of all you brought Gracie to Long Island. I finally had a Fragale near me! 17 min door to door. We had big big plans for you both. Dinner dates, BBQs, movies, wineries. We were just getting started and are so so sad it was cut short. We will cherish the time we had with you and grateful for the opportunity to spend any time we had together. Watch over Gracie and your baby girl. Until we meet again, you’re always in our hearts.

Uncle Matt was one of William’s favourite people – they had the absolute best time playing together whenever Matt would come to visit.

Christmas Party at our house 2021. We all had so much fun! Matt was definitely at the table for LCR. I love his lack of reaction to Megan’s roll. Makes me giggle every time. Matt & Gracie revealed they are pregnant at this party too which really made this party the absolute best!!