Matthew  Cleary

Obituary of Matthew David Cleary

Born March 24, 1972 in Manchester England to father David Cleary (deceased) and mother Carol Cleary. Matthew passed away in his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico on November 28, 2022 at the age of 50 years young.  

 

Matthew was a brilliant son, loving father, wise older brother, amazing uncle, kind nephew and loyal friend to many. Matthew is survived by his mother, Carol ; his daughter, Mazzy ; his brother ,Ben ; Aunt Julie ; niece, Kayla and nephew Nathaniel ; cousins, Keiran, Adam, and Arron.

 

Matthew came to Albuquerque from Bolton, Manchester, England, with his family in 1986 at the age of 14. He met his life long friend Susan at school, who he would inevitably fall in love with and later  welcome daughter Mazzy into this world in 1996. While the majority of his life was spent in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he took to the ubiquitous green chile - pardon the pun - with relish, he always remained true to his roots in England. His trips back home were always filled with good laughs, food, photos and fond memories. Matthew always made sure to document everything, from family vacations to his daughters soccer games. He enjoyed creating digital albums to share such fond memories in new and creative ways with friends and family. 

 

Matthew was popular, intelligent, principled and friendly but overwhelmingly unassuming, with a typically British, quirky sense of humor. He had a way of connecting to everyone he met and created quite the following of friends from all walks of life. He had many interests, including cinema, music, gaming and science fiction - over the years, he accumulated an impressive collection of Star Wars memorabilia. Matthew would loved to host Oscar watch parties, World Cup soccer festivals, and his daughters favorite: midnight quesadilla parties for those sleep challenged individuals. Matthew loved music, he saved every concert ticket he had been to, but no matter how good new music became he would never change his number one artist: Morrissey, who we can safely say Matthew was, and always will be, his number one fan.

 

Matthew was a jack of all trades and enjoyed the challenge of many different jobs. Later in life he became a life long scholar, earning himself several associate degrees from Central Community College.

Matthew loved fiercely and with his whole heart, he would always go out of his way to make your day, and you could always count on him to get you something you never knew you needed but definitely always wanted. Matthew was an avid reader and was very much influenced by James Joyce. The following quote encapsulates his own philosophy of life. 

 

“ - the tradition of genuine warm-hearted courteous Irish hospitality, which our forefathers have handed down to us and which we in turn must hand down to our dependents, is still alive among us.” -James Joyce, Dubliners 

 

Matthew embodied the very essence of this quote from James Joyce. His love will be carried in our hearts, his kindness in our souls, his thoughtfulness in our heads, and his loyalty will forever be worn on our sleeves. May his legacy carry on his Irish hospitality, through us all, as the world could use more people like Matthew in it. 

 

Rest in peace Matthew, you were called too soon. You will be forever in the thoughts of your family and friends who hold such wonderful memories of you, and will miss you so much more than you will ever know. We take comfort knowing you are with your grandparents Nora and Wilf.

 

A Celebration of Life to be held by family and friends in the near future.

 

A Go fund me is available upon request from friends and family:   https://gofund.me/70ae8903

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A Memorial Tree was planted for Matthew
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Riverside Funeral Home of Albuquerque