Matt Prentice

He started off very young loving adventures! At about 5 years old, he was going to run away to become a porcupine hunter! As he was standing at the front door, wearing his Davy Crockett hat with a small bag carrying his needed supplies to pursue this new adventure, his Mom asked him where he was going. He let her know where he was headed, invited her, and thankfully she convinced him to stay. That porcupine adventure would have to wait. That day marked the beginning of what adventures we knew the future would hold.

There were so many daily adventures which included many moments of band-aids, bumps, bruises, and lots of boo boo kisses. It usually took a pre-outdoor bath for him and his brother Nick to remove the dirt and mud before the indoor baths could happen. He always looked forward to those indoor baths as that meant enjoying popsicles in the tub! Matt's favorite were the blue ones. He would say they were his Blues Clues popsicles.

As he got older, the minor bumps and bruises then graduated to emergency room visits! There was a five year stretch of yearly ER visits: crashes on his razor scooter, sliding down a hill where a jagged exposed pipe grazed his thigh, his brother hitting him in the head with a golf swing, all resulting in stitches and more stitches. Rough ‘n’ tumble was his way!

In his middle school years, he had a deep connection with the property he grew up on. With some acreage to play on, he explored every inch of it. He loved being outdoors and he possessed a superhuman strength at such a young age. With that strength, he built a fort which he was very proud of! It was a trek to get to, and he would take anyone up there that could manage the hike. They always admired the hard work that he put in and shared in the pride he had for his very own hangout spot.

When he was older, anytime there was help needed on the property, like a downed tree, he was practically running for the chainsaw! Those downed trees were destined to become logs, with the promise of those much loved bonfires under the night sky. He felt peace in those moments.

Oh the things he enjoyed! Matt’s greatest loves were fishing, hunting, bonfires under starry skies, hiking, seeking adventure with friends and eating homemade dinners. He especially loved Mom’s Mexican food and everything Rob Marani made! His nightly question to his Mom was, “Hiya! What's for dinner?”

Matt was greatly protective of his younger sister, Mikayla. He was there at her birth and he always would reminisce that moment with love and admiration for her. When she was a newborn, he would always help with her baths. He was her big brother and he took pride in that.

Matt also enjoyed making people laugh. His charisma was felt by all and the sparkle in his blue eyes kept people engaged. He also loved answering any history questions asked of him. This was his area of expertise! We knew better than to challenge him, this was his arena! He knew it and we knew it.

Matt has many family members and friends who love him deeply. There won’t be a day that goes by where we won’t miss him, his smile, the twinkle in his beautiful blue eyes or his captivating charm. We will love him everyday and honor him, until we see him again. Until then, his adventurous spirit will live in our hearts.

We would like to thank Matt's cousin Megan Burton, and his Aunts Christine Burton & Monique Burton, for coordinating the most beautiful Celebration of Life. Thank you!

We also would like to thank Rob & Christy Marani, their son Matt Marani, and the Marani family for their endless amount of love and mentorship for Matt. Rob & Christy truly regarded him as their own son. They mentored him in many facets of his life. They invited him on fishing trips, countless hunting trips, and many visits to their family home. He’s grown up with them since middle school, and he loved them as if they were his own family.

We would also like to thank the Duck Club members for their friendship and love for Matt.

A special thank you to Matt’s friends, Jimmy Sampson and Max Kauker for their love, support, and endless offers of help.