Matthew John Smith

FAIRFIELD – Our beloved Matthew John Smith, 39, lost his final battle with the numerous health challenges he faced from birth on Monday, January 6, 2025. Matthew was born September 2, 1985, in Bangor, to Judy Klimavicz and Richard Thornley Jr., and later adopted by the late Joseph L. Smith. Matt started life early and sadly left this world too early as well leaving a wake of love, laughter, and music.

Matt faced many obstacles in life from day one, arriving two months prematurely. Despite a lifetime of chronic health issues, he led a full and productive life. He held many jobs but the one he excelled at was working with teens at Goodwill Hinckley. Music played a huge role in Matt’s life, and one cannot think of him without remembering his love for guitar and music in general. He developed lifelong friendships with people he played with and had many “garage bands” throughout the years. Matt loved people and lived to make others laugh. His knack for impressions and his wild stories kept all of us in stitches. In the time of answering machines, he recorded messages impersonating many different celebrities and characters. One never knew what they would hear when leaving a message.

Matt was also naturally artistic. He was especially talented in writing and drawing. He was particularly drawn to the horror genre, much to his mother’s dismay. Lawrence High School had to redefine film class rules due to Matt’s amateur “Halloween” production.

If Matt were here to answer the question “What is your greatest accomplishment?” He would undoubtedly answer that it was his son, Mason. He loved Mason above all else and everything he did was for his little boy. Being a good father was always first in Matt’s mind, showering his son with love and attention. He did everything he could to be the best father he could be and succeeded at doing so.

Matt was predeceased by his adoptive father, Joseph L. Smith, adoptive grandparents, George and Maude Smith, his adored maternal grandmother, Anna Klimavicz, whom he shared a very special bond with, grandfather Bronius Klimavicz, and adoptive brother Jason Smith.

Matt is survived by his loving fiancée Nikki Lynne Sites, his mother and stepfather, Judy and Charles Reeves, his sister and her husband, Cassandra (Smith) and Jeff Thompson, niece Lena and nephew Jace, stepbrother Nick Reeves and his fiancée Sara Gundermann, maternal uncle Timothy Klimavicz, as well as numerous other extended family members. His proudest, and most important role was that of Dad and he leaves behind his son, Mason Wayne John Smith, who was his entire world. He also leaves behind a large circle of friends and former work colleagues.

Matt was a big man with an even bigger heart, and the world is a little darker without him in it.

A Service to celebrate Matt’s life will be held on Saturday January 18, 2025, at the Universalist Unitarian Church in Waterville at 1 p.m., with a time to share food and memories afterwards.
Please visit Matt’s memorial page at https://svremembrancecenter.com/obituaries/matthew-smith-2025 where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a college fund for his son Mason. Contact Cassandra for details.