Matthew James Charwood Jr.

Matthew “Matt” Charwood Jr. passed away at the Seattle VA Medical Center on Wednesday, August 25th, 2021 at the age of 73. Son of Matthew Charwood Sr. and Kate Rogers, Matt was born on July 8th, 1948 in Cass Lake MN; a member of the Pillager Band of Chippewa.

After graduating from West HS in Minneapolis, Class of 1966, Matt left home to pursue art and college sports. He served as a Sergeant in the US Marine Corps, from 1969-72, and was a Vietnam Veteran. He traveled to Hong Kong, Korea, the Philippines, and all throughout the states, eventually relocating to the PNW for the latter half of his life. He fell deeply in love with Suquamish Territory and the community.

Matt held many job titles in his time, including Maintenance, Social Work and Data Entry, though his favorite job was working alongside young people at the Suquamish Youth Center as a coach, mentor, and pillar of support to many. Matt loved Tennis, Golf, Basketball, and was a talented Softball player! He was even offered a contract with the minor-leagues but was not able to move forward due to his battle with Alcohol Use Disorder in his younger years. He spent much of his time reflecting on that experience, learning from it, and emphasizing the importance of (his) healing and sobriety. He also spent his time volunteering and helping to identify the Adverse Childhood Experiences that many Native (foster) youth navigate so that more resources of support could be implemented for Tribal Families.

He loved window shopping and a good meal, he often gathered the people closest to him for dinner at local places such as Clearwater Casino, Elmer’s, JJ’s Fish House, and That’s A Some Italian Ristorante. He was the ultimate cat dad, preceded in death by Julio, with Charlie and Furnando right by his side during his last weekend at his home on George Lane in Suquamish before being hospitalized.

Matt battled many chronic health conditions for many years and had very much earned the peaceful transition that he experienced. He will be missed dearly by his culturally adoptive family members, the entire generation of Suquamish youth that he helped to raise, and the community members that he shared a smile, a witty remark, and wise words of advice with.

Matt did not want any Funeral Services held for him at this time, especially to protect the health of all who loved and cared for him. He wished for a large Spaghetti + Goulash Dinner to be held in Suquamish at a later date; with music, joy, dancing, (but no alcohol) in celebration of his life, when it is more safe to do so.

There will, however, be a procession and short honoring led by the Suquamish Warriors - sometime this September (2021) - at his final resting place: Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA.

Live-stream will be available and the link will be shared upon date/time/detail confirmation.

Special Thank Yous: Suquamish Veterans Resource Program - Tribal Nurses - and Human Services, Comfort Keepers Home Care, Olympic Peninsula Kidney Center North, Poulsbo / Kitsap Fire Department, several Health Care Workers throughout Kitsap County, and Seattle VA Medical Staff for helping to prioritize his well-being over the past 10 years.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Kitsap Humane Society:

9167 Dickey Road NW

Silverdale, WA 98383

https://www.kitsap-humane.org/donate/

Main Point of Contact:

Lavada Anderson

360-394-8515