Matthew Joseph Hatcher

Matthew was born on Aug 6, 2008 at the same hospital. He was diagnosed in utero with complex heart disease, along with several other conditions. Matthew underwent multiple open-heart surgeries, starting at birth, six months, three years, and six years old, all to help him live with his half-a-heart. At age ten, Matthew underwent an additional surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for a condition called Plastic Bronchitis, which affects the lymphatic system.

Matthew lived in Sherman, CT, where he attended The Sherman Elementary School for ten years. He then went to Immaculate High School in Danbury, where he had started his sophomore year, before being admitted to the hospital on November 11, 2024, to be put on the heart transplant list.

Matthew enjoyed playing sports like soccer, basketball, and flag football. He enjoyed playing and listening to music, singing, swimming in his pool, boating on Candlewood Lake and most of all, Matthew enjoyed playing with his brothers and friends. Matthew had a big personality along with a big smile that was able to draw people into him. Matthew was always happiest when he was with his brothers.

Matthew was a member of St. Edward the Confessor Parish in New Fairfield, where he was an alter server and attended CCD, prior to starting high school. Matthew was a member of Pack 84 Cub Scout Den and Troop 48 Boy Scouts in Sherman. Below is a quote from one of his former Scout Leaders, Jose Ordinas-Lewis, that summarizes his personality the best:

“Matthew was truly one of God's special gifts to this world. Despite all the challenges he faced, he carried himself with such grace and radiated the kind of joy that could only come from a heart filled with God's love. His smile was infectious and had the power to brighten even the darkest days. In Scouting, he embodied the very best of what it means to be friendly, loyal, and cheerful.

Watching Matthew grow was a blessing. He approached every activity, every challenge, and every opportunity to help others with that same unwavering positivity and enthusiasm. He was a shining example to his fellow Scouts and friends of how to face life's difficulties with faith and hope. His spirit touched so many lives, and that beautiful legacy will continue to live on through all who knew him. We know that Matthew is now in God's loving embrace, free from all earthly struggles, and that his joyful spirit lives on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him.”

In the last two years Matthew was fortunate enough to be a part of Army Football at West Point through a program called Team Impact. He got to be on the sidelines with the players on game day and had dinner with them every few weeks. One of the highlights of his short life was being there when Army beat Navy at Gillette Stadium on December 9, 2023. We are grateful for all the love and support that we have received from all the great people there!

In the last seven months we have received a lot of food, love, support, and prayers from our friends and family, thank you! Lastly, we would like to thank all the nurses, doctors, and staff on 6 Tower and 9 Tower at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York, we are grateful for all that you did to help Matthew with what was a very difficult and tough recovery! His favorite nurse Steve Suh was on hand many days and on the last day he stayed until the end to see him through it all. Steve, you are #1 and we are grateful for all your love and support and care during some difficult times.

God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers. You fought a good fight Matthew, we’re very proud of you. Rest easy Buddy, your brothers, mom and dad got it from here!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am on Friday, July 11, 2025 at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 21 Brush Hill Rd., New Fairfield, CT. Burial to follow in Coburn Cemetery, 68 Leach Hollow Rd., Sherman, CT.

Friends will be received from 4:00pm - 8:00pm on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 21 Brush Hill Rd., New Fairfield, CT 06812.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Matthew's memory to Matthew's Hearts of Hope, 1 Farm Rd., Sherman, CT 06784 or go to www.matthewsheartsofhope.org/donate