Matthew L. Held

Matthew L. Held, age 68, of Lansing, NY passed away unexpectedly on January 3, 2024.  Born in Seattle, WA on October 31, 1955, he was the son of the late John Russell Held and Jane Ellen (Freer) Connors.  For thirteen years, Matt proudly served in the US Army and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant prior to his honorable discharge in 1984.  He fondly remembered the three years spent in Germany during his service.  Following his time in Army, Matt moved to NY to teach recruits through Cornell University’s Army ROTC program.  He met a fellow Cornell employee, Joann, who he would marry in 1988.  Matt remained at Cornell throughout his career, retiring as a project manager.

Matt was a social butterfly and met new friends wherever he went, often talking himself into long conversations with former strangers.  Those who knew him well will remember his daily peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and love of applesauce, meticulous cleaning of his car, well-manicured lawn, and fear of bats.  He was a fan of the Seattle Seahawks and NASCAR, and loved being involved in both dirt and asphalt stock car racing.  In addition to building and driving his own car, he was a flagger at Skyline Raceway.  Throughout his life, dogs were always like his children, including his current Bassador companion, Molly.  Above all else, Matt’s true love was for Joann and their family.

Matt is survived by his loving wife, Joann; children, Brian (Alisha) Held, Tammy (Scott) Boucher, Bobbie Jo (Jeremy) Brown, and Kimberly Fish; grandchildren, Austin, Cameron and Myles Held, Tristen Boucher, Damon Brown, and Kylie, Kassi and Connor Fish; several great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Patricia Hill; and many friends.  He also leaves behind several siblings and was especially close to Mike, Chip, Deanna, and Danette; and Joann's siblings, Peggy (Ron) Hill, Lori (Jeff) Reeves, John (Lydia) Hill and Susan (Henry) Doney.  In addition to his parents, Matt is preceded in death by his father-in-law, James Hill, and closest friend, Fred Johnson.

A gathering of family and friends will be announced in the near future.  A graveside service with military honors will be held in the spring in North Lansing Rural Cemetery.