"As a former neighbor and Cub Scout leader when Matt was in his early years of school, I was able to appreciate how easy he was to be around - never being the one to cause trouble. We miss his entire family being in our lives, but it is especially sad to think of Matt no longer spreading his joy. My condolences to his family and friends."
In loving memory of
Matthew Ryan Frederick Lee
February 4, 1994 - October 10, 2019
Matthew Ryan Frederick Lee, 25, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away Thursday, October 10, 2019 at his home. Matt was born on February 4, 1994 in Waterville, Maine. He was the son of William and Debra (Erstad) Lee.
While growing up, Matt and his two older siblings, Steven and Katherine, lived in Maine, Kentucky, and New Hampshire before moving to Salisbury, Maryland. He was musically gifted and played many instruments, including acoustic, electric, and bass guitars, drums, and piano. Matt loved creating music with his friends in their bands, "Cowboy Repeater" and "The Glass Balloon" and performing in their high school's Battle of the Bands, where they won nearly all of the awards including "Best Guitarist". Matt also played the trombone in his high school marching band and performed on guitar and drums in the JMB Rock n' Roll revival. He went on to graduate from James M. Bennett High School with the Class of 2012.
Aside from having a love for music, Matt was an avid reader, especially of fantasy novels and biographies of his favorite musicians. While on family vacations to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, he would read for hours on the beach. He enjoyed spending time with his family playing Euchre, discussing politics and current events, and making pancakes like his grandfather. One of his favorite places to visit was northern Ontario. On a recent trip, he took time to teach his two young cousins to play guitar and help them with their dance routines. Matt also enjoyed playing Pathfinder with his friends.
He started his work career with his family's business, Cold Stone Creamery, while in high school. During his three years at Cold Stone, Matt had fun working and performing with the crew. After moving to Fort Wayne, Indiana in 2014, he worked at FYE at Glenbrook Mall, where he met friends who helped him establish roots in Fort Wayne. He most recently worked at Micropulse in Columbia City.
Matt was very loving, patient, caring and thoughtful. He had a big heart and he was there to help others out when they needed it.
He will be dearly missed by his loving parents, Bill and Debbie Lee of Barbee Lake; brother, Steven (Sana) Lee, of Cupertino, California; sister, Katherine Lee, of Dover, New Hampshire; uncles and aunts Gabe and Patricia Lee, Don Lee, Gordon Lee, Jim and Joanne Erstad and Julie and Paul Daigle; cousins, John Paul, Amy, Mark, Erin, Brandon, Bianca, Brianna, Eric, Amy, Shawna, Julian, Justyn, Amanda, Kristyn, Jordan and Jason, the friends he made; and his cat, Evelyn. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frederick and Patricia Lee and Robert and Joan Erstad; and an uncle, Art Lee.
A Celebration of Matt's life will take place at a later date in Canada. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Bowen Center. Arrangements with DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send his family condolences online.
Tributes
"We are so sorry to hear the news of Matt's passing. We loved having him and his family as our NH neighbors and the memories are flooding back for us. One that comes to mind immediately was how proud he was to catch some trout at the annual Cub Scout Fishing Derby, which happens to be on Mother's Day weekend. He proudly left his fish for his mom on her jewelry box as a gift!! Oh sweet, sweet Matt. Our hearts go out to Bill, Deb, Steven and Katherine."
"Matt was the best friend I could have asked for through the years I was fortunate enough to know him. I sat next to him every day for 4 years in band (never quite being able to match his talent on the trombone), and while we may have fallen out of touch over the years since then, his memory and impact will live on not only with me, but all of the friends he made during his time in Salisbury. I am sincerely sorry for your loss. Walker Skeeter"
"Lee Family - We are so sorry to hear of Matt?s passing. Tully, Oakley and Nico loved Matt and the childhood memories on Royal Mile were some of their very best. Matt loved Halloween and making costume swords and using his imagination about their characters. It was something we have spoken about over the years with laughter as sometimes the sword fights between all of them got out of hand! Matt is kind, talented and patient. The world has lost a bright spot for sure. We grieve with you here in Maryland and Florida. God bless you all. "
"Sending loving thoughts to you all. Matt was a special person whose light shined the brightest when he shared his music. The Johnson Family"
"Bill Debbie Steven and Katherine our thoughts and prayers are with you all. The McNab Family"
"Deb, Bill, Steven and Katherine you are in our thoughts and prayers. Angie Heiden"
"Sending love and my condolences to all of his loved ones. "
"I worked with Matt at FYE. I helped him close many nights, in which he would love playing his favorite music and telling me about it. He was a light to be around. It?s all so hard to believe. "
"Deb, so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family in this difficult time. Betsy Bowers"
"Matt was one of the few people who made my high school experience at JMB a good time. Making music together between The Glass Balloon, RRR, and the marching band will always be a highlight of my life for me. I?m so sorry for your loss. ?? ? Trey M."
"May each of you find courage to face tomorrow as you rest in the knowledge that we truly care about each of your needs and that we will walk beside you in your journey of grief. Randy Grimes, Brett Gerber and the Staff of DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home "