Matthew B. Willard, Jr. – 57, of North Reading and formerly of Lawrence, died Saturday, August, 25, 2018 at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading.
Born in Stoneham, MA on January 19, 1961. He was raised and attended school in North Reading and was a graduate of North Reading High School, Class of 1979.
Matthew was a Foreman for Atlantic Plywood in Woburn for over 30 years. He was known for his kindness towards everyone and his smile. His constant singing and sense of humor and joking that always made everyone comfortable. He had a great love for his family and animals. He was a very dependable son.
He loved woodworking, boating, fishing and hanging with all his many friends. He loved looking out the back deck at the wildlife.
Family members includes his loving son, Matthew P. Willard of Lawrence; his parents, Matthew B. Willard, Sr. and Marjorie K. (Wood) Willard of North Reading; his sister, Ann Marie Tunnell and her husband Bill of Port Clinton, Ohio.
His funeral will be held on Saturday, September 1 at 11:00 AM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. Calling hours will be held on Friday, August 31 from 5 to 8 PM. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com
Miss you already Matt.
I remember that smile. Always so pleasant, you left a gift for the world in your son Matthew, Rest in Peace my friend!!!!
Unfortunately we were never able to meet, but you were one half to one of my very good friends. That alone leaves me with regret, you will be missed.
Matt, you will certainly be missed. You may not even have known who I was, but i know who your son was. A bright, gifted, talented and hilarious man; and your parenting made him who he is today. I’ve made a life long friend because of you and I wish I could have thanked you in person when I was there.
I’m sorry we never met, but I have a feeling you will live long within your son and family. This world took you too soon, but we shall immortalize your memory.
Rest in peace, friend.
On August 18th with his family present and lead by pastor Ryan Phelps, Matty refedicated his life to Christ, confessed sin, that he was backslidden and acknowledging his need for his Savior. He prayed without hesitation, and he prayed boldly, as we, Matthew his son and I watched and witnessed this man humbly solidify his place in heaven. Amen. Those who know Matt, knew of his love and belief in our Father God.
We rejoice in his home-going and look forward to seeing him in eternity. In Jesus’ name.
Sending prayers to the family , us Marblehead st. Kids will miss you…Jody
Have many fond mempries of years long ago of Super Bowl parties and fun times shared at the house there in Lawrence. It’s sad to lose someine so young by these ugly disease. Sympathy to Matt and famliy.
Linda Kbight
To my Marine Corps sister Mary and her son Mathew. Your both very special and I am sad for the passing of your husband and father. Matt was very fortunate to have your love as you were to have his. Mathew, your dad will always be with you. With love, Scott Arsenault
Great co-worker and I remeber most days it was either Matty or me locking up the place – but most of the time it was Matty. Fond memories of a really nice person.
John B.
To Matty…I miss your smile already, your finger to tell everyone where you stood and where they could go! The gift of love you gave to those you truly cared about and the capability of weeding out the ones who were true to you and your loved ones…My life has been so enriched by being your friend and sharing your family with mine. Rest in peace Matty…Love you!
To my sister Mary, I loved visiting you, Big Matt and L’il Matt…he’s not so little anymore, he is a grown, fine young man like his dad. When I would visit you we would stay indoors because it was too cold for this Texas boy to go outside. We would gain weight together and I am glad you never wanted me to shovel snow because back home I don’t even like raking leaves once a season…Anyway the kindness you and Matt, Sr. and Jr. showed me will never be forgotten. You are always welcome back home in San Antonio, Texas to visit and gain weight with me too, we have really good greasy chicken Matt used to love and los benitos like Matty, jr. used to call it 🙂 Too much to say without tearing up…I remember when news first broke of Matt’s illness and I called him, I cried like a baby to him because I couldn’t keep my composure but I also prayed like a man of God that he would have better days than bad because the road ahead of him was going to be difficult. We worry about being robbed by thieves but the biggest thief is cancer…it robs us of our loved ones and takes them from us way too early…I will forever miss Matt, his humor, his laugh and his accent and his striking resemblance to Robin Williams… I love you, my only sister and tell my nephew, whenever he is ready, to come visit but more importantly to stay in touch!
Rest easy my friend… You are missed already.
As one of my co-workers at Atlantic Plywood for many years, Matt was a dedicated worker. He did have a great sense of humor and made us laugh daily with his singing thru the halls. All who had the pleasure of knowing Matt will agree that he will be missed greatly. Rest in Peace my friend.
Bill Mootrey
Mary and Matthew, We are so sorry for your loss. Praying for for and your family at this time that your memories and God comfort you. Your Dad had a great smile Matt! Miss and love you both, Beth, Michael and Gracie Hoffman
The world will miss his smile and his boisterous singing, and his bragging about his fishing expertise….. always had a great sense of humor, and his stories always ended with a laugh.
A hard working man that you could always count on, never looking for credit, just wanted to get the job done.
I will miss you and think of you often
Not only a long time co-worker but a very close friend he was an absolute gem of a person.Atlantic will never be the same.It was an absolute pleasure to know and to work with him for the past 23 years.You will be very missed,and I will never forget you.
Rest my Friend Rest
Rest in peace Matty ,you will be missed.
Although I didn’t get to meet you but I got to know the person you were from other people that did had a great pleasure of knowing you. I know now you were a wonderful person, great father, funny, talented, hard working and most of all Loved God. You will be missed. Rest in peace
Matthew, I am so sorry that you lost your Dad. Your mom Mary is part of our church family and we are praying for both of you as you are dealing with this loss. Know that you both are loved.