Matthew Brichford

Matthew Jay Brichford passed away on September 11, 2023, at the age of 67 at his home in Connersville, Indiana. After years managing a complicated medical condition, Matthew’s final moments were spent outside, in his favorite patio chair, taking in the quiet peace of his farm alongside his three dogs.

Matthew was a progressive and innovative thinker with a passion for problem-solving. He felt that if you weren’t dreaming of what comes next, you may as well be standing still. He was quick witted and sharply sarcastic. He had no taste for self-aggrandizement and rejected politics that didn’t embrace humanity, civil liberties, and all that is good in people. He was a believer in women’s empowerment and an agitator who modeled for his children how to question authority and speak truth to power.

He was a lifelong believer in learning and an avid reader, enjoying topics ranging from sustainable agriculture to naval historical fiction. He was also a talented woodworker. One of the ways he expressed his love for his family was through his craftsmanship – over the years, he built toys and canoe paddles for his children; built and repaired furniture for family members; and, when his parents passed, built urns in the shape of books to hold their ashes, honoring their love of education.

Matthew felt a tremendous reverence for nature and land stewardship. He established and employed sustainable agricultural practices, transforming a 200-year-old family farm into a 100% grassfed operation and, later, into an award-winning cheesemaking business. Cheesemaking was an art for him; it was one way he felt he could take all the goodness of the land his family had farmed for generations and produce something that not only brought smiles to the faces of those who enjoyed the cheese, but also invested in his community.

His greatest joy and purpose in life was his family. He coached each of his children’s soccer teams, attended countless swim meets, and nurtured their intellectual pursuits. While he was a self-proclaimed curmudgeon, he was a loving husband and father whose warm embrace will be deeply missed. He enjoyed his kids like dearest friends, and his quips, jokes, and one-liners brought smiles to his family’s faces every day.

Matthew is survived by his wife of 42 years, Leslie Jacobs; their children Miah, Maize, and Eliza Jacobs-Brichford; siblings Charles Brichford (Annette) and Ann Martin (Jimmy); mother-in-law Francine Jacobs; sisters-in-law Ellyn Jacobs Dooley (Tom) and Carolyn Jacobs (Chuck); brother-in-law Jack Johnson; former sister-in-law Kristi Lewis; nieces Amy (Arnaud), Constance, Alina, Sofia, Amelia, and Cora; nephews Colin, Jake (Mikka), Elliott (Lana), Jordan, and Neil; great-nieces Michele, Abigael, and Margaret; and great-nephews Griffin and Aidan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maynard and Jane Brichford, and his sister, Sarah Brichford.

Matthew would have opted for a much briefer obituary and he was not a believer in prayer. While his family will appreciate your thoughts and kindness, the best way to honor his memory is to make a donation to either American Farmland Trust or Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

The visitation will be at Showalter, Blackwell, Long Funeral Home on September 23, 2023, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.