Matthew Stewart Gustavson passed away unexpectedly on April 14, 2019 at the age of 52 in Austin, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Jennifer Leigh-Curtis Gustavson and three children, Samantha 19, Charlie 15 and Thomas 11. Matthew is also survived by his parents, Thomas and Bette Gustavson, sisters Nancy Roll, Janet Remlinger and Susan Gustavson. Matthew was an IT Manager at the AT&T Conference Center.
Matthew’s story begins when he was born on November 9, 1966 in Southampton, New York. He was the youngest child of Thomas and Bette Gustavson. Matthew was welcomed into the world by his three older sisters, Nancy, Janet and Susan. In 1968, the family moved to Northampton, Massachusetts. Northampton was the hometown of his parents and Matt was able to spend a great deal of time with his grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and the extended family. Matt began kindergarten at Jackson Street Elementary School and in 1973, when his parents had graduated from graduate school, the family moved to Austin, Texas so his father could start a new job with The University of Texas and his mother with Austin Independent School District. Matthew attended Cunningham and Menchaca Elementary Schools, Martin Middle School, and graduated from Crockett High School in 1985. It was in high school that Matt began his love of drawing and painting and was introduced to computers. Matt was accepted to and attended the University of Texas where he met his loving wife, Jennifer Curtis. While at UT, Matthew majored in graphic design and participated in the Air Force ROTC.
Matt and Jennifer at met through a common friend in ROTC, fell in love, and were married March 9, 1996 at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center surrounded by friends and family. Theirs was a love that was full of laughter and kindness. Matt began working at Motorola while enrolled at UT and began his career working in Information Technology (IT). Soon after the wedding, Matt accepted a position with GSDM and Matt and Jennifer moved to Bastrop, Texas. In October 1999, Matt and Jennifer welcomed their first daughter, Samantha and in 2003, Charlotte was born. During this period, Matt accepted a position with Harcourt Publishing. While working for Harcourt, he accepted a transfer position to Harcourt Publishing’s New York City location. The family relocated to Edison, New Jersey. Thomas was born in November 2003. While living in New Jersey, the family became active in the Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church where Samantha and Charlotte attended school and Matt volunteered as the librarian. Their children were Baptized at Our Lady of Peace. Matt became a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. While in New Jersey, Matt accepted a position with Dendrion Pharmaceutical.
While leaving friends made in New Jersey was difficult, everyone was missing family and so Matt accepted a position in the central Texas area in 2012. Matt worked for several companies in the area until he landed his dream job with the UT AT&T Conference Center as IT Manager.
Matt was best known for his incredible sense of humor. In most family pictures Matt is seen holding rabbit ears over others or sticking out his tongue. He loved to make people laugh and being in the room with him meant smiles, giggles and hugs. He will always be remembered as a loving and involved father, husband, son and brother.
Fond memories or expressions of sympathy for the Gustavson family may be left at www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com
FAMILY
Jennifer Leigh-Curtis GustavsonWife
Samantha GustavsonDaughter
Charlie GustavsonDaughter
Thomas GustavsonSon
Thomas GustavsonFather
Bette GustavsonMother
Nancy RollSister
Janet RemlingerSister
Susan GustavsonSister
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