Matthew Scott Mandrus

April 22, 1992 - September 5, 2025

Matthew Mandrus, of Arlington, Massachusetts, passed away on September 5, 2025, at the age of 33. Beloved son of Betsy Gitelman and Wayne Mandrus and his wife Michele Nelsen, adored brother of Michael and his wife Frani, Alex, and Evan Mandrus. Cherished stepbrother of Lauren Ayers and Stephen Ayers II. He is also survived by his loving aunts and uncles: Ellen Gitelman and Tim Anderson, Cindy and Denis Desrosiers, David Mandrus and Veerle Keppens, and John and Emily Gitelman. He also loved and will be missed by cousins AJ, Nora, Justin, Isabel, Thomas, and Niels.

Matthew grew up in Acton, Massachusetts, and graduated from Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in 2010. During his school years, he excelled at woodworking, broadcasting and other media, and interpretive events he competed in through the Massachusetts Forensics League. He placed in every tournament he participated in and won the Play Reading event at the state championship. His performances were always humorous, highlighting his exceptional comedic timing. At Project Graduation, the party honoring graduating high school seniors, he was named Unsung Hero for the class for thriving through adversity.

Matthew attended the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, following the passion for filmmaking he had discovered in his teen years. He graduated with a BFA in film and video in 2014. He worked in his field off and on, in between stints as a server. After several years in the corporate world, Matthew returned to hospitality, settling in as a server at Tryst in Arlington and eventually developing skills and expertise in the business side as a manager. He foresaw continued growth in the hotel and restaurant business. He loved his Tryst family and the camaraderie that came with working in a restaurant. His best friend Anna and his manager, mentor, and friend Taek were central to his life.

Matthew also had a love of gaming and had a large circle of friends from that world, including his regular Dungeons and Dragons crew. He used his creativity to develop maps, stories, and campaigns for the weekly games and was loved and admired by all he played with.

Matthew adored his cat Makoto and had such deep love for friends from all the periods of his life.

Matthew had health problems starting at age 4, but he kept it to himself and never let it get him down. The family is thankful to the Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine department at Mass General Hospital for their care over the last 20 years and to the Cardiac Surgical ICU doctors and nurses for their incredible passion for Matthew’s care over the last month.

A funeral service for Matthew will be held at Congregation Beth Elohim, located at 133 Prospect St, Acton on September 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, located at 166 Central St, Acton.

Shiva will be held Wednesday and Thursday from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM and Friday from 2-4 PM at the home of Betsy Gitelman. Please park on Main Street or in the nearby municipal parking lot.

Donations to the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine department at MGH would honor Matthew’s memory in the most meaningful way.