Passing of Peter Mathews

The past few days I’ve been trying to find the words to put this out there, but I’ve come to terms with the fact that I will never find the right words so I will keep this short.

At 2:23am Friday morning I received the most devastating call of my life, learning that my student, alumni, fellow mentor, best friend and someone I called brother had passed away just a few hours earlier from an injury sustained while snowboarding. Pete was the most genuine, kind soul I’ve ever met, with enough of an outgoing personality for our whole team of shy introverts. I’ll do my best to keep your spirit ingrained in our team culture for years to come.

Rest In Peace Brother

Memorial Services will be held this Saturday and Sunday from 6-9pm at Moloney’s Bohemia Funeral Home located at 1320 Lakeland Ave, Bohemia, NY 11716

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So sorry for your loss and many condolences and prayers to his friends and family.

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On behalf of 3015, we send our condolences to you, 271, and the family and friends of Pete.

I have fond memories of his enthusiasm at the events our teams attended together. You have our love during this impossibly difficult time.

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Really sorry to hear this Rich!!

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This is a shock… so tragic to lose Pete so unexpectedly and suddenly this way. My thoughts and prayers are with you, the team, and his family.

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FRC Team 1501 T.H.R.U.S.T. send their condolences to FRC Team 271, family, friends and teammates for the loss of a great person. RIP Pete.

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Rich & all of 271,

Pete had a special energy. I had the pleasure of working with him many times over the years and you can’t find a more upbeat, genuine, and eager to help person. Whether we were on the same alliance or facing off against each other that friendliness and willingness to help was no different.

I can think of many specific instances he made an impact on me or our team over the years during his time as both a student and mentor with 271.

To all of 271 I hope you know that his impact extended far beyond just the team and my, along with all of 1796’s hearts, go out to you and his family during this unimaginable time. I hope his family knows the countless positive impressions he left on the world in his short time here.

His spirit and energy will always persist in his physical absence. I’m incredibly sorry to you, 271, and his family for your loss. Pete will be missed.

Very best,
Peter

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Here’s an article in Long Island Newsday today about Peter’s accident. LI man who served in Air National Guard dies in snowboarding accident - Newsday

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He’s working on my favorite plane, the A-10 Thunderbolt II (aka Warthog)
I worked on them for 16 years in the Air Force Reserves at Grissom A.F.B.
Rest in peace fellow Airman. :cry:

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On behalf of myself and everyone on Team 340 we are so sorry for your loss. Pete was awesome to work with and he will surely be missed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, 271 and his family!

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Incredibly sad news.

I didn’t know Pete well at all, but from my time visiting 271s shop, he was always up-beat and willing to help the random kid from a different team who was trying to learn to operate a mill/large.

The world lost a great person well too soon.

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It was incredibly heartwarming to see hundreds of people at Peter’s wake on Sunday. A testament to how great of a person he was. I’ve seen Peter at events since 2014, any time we were at the same event we would make sure to find each other.

My first introduction to Peter was when he helped our team out with some drive train problems we were having, a small act that had great impact to our team and I. Seeing each other at events as mentors who stuck with the program was great to see as well.

I had the pleasure of running into him this past summer, and talking about the futures of our respective teams, it breaks my heart to know I won’t see his infectious smile at events in years to come.

My condolences go out to all that knew him, and had been affected by him. We’ve lost an incredible person in our community.

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