Matthew Egan Carreno

Matthew was born and raised in New Jersey before moving to Washington, where he raised his two beautiful daughters, Kierstin and Alexis. Eventually, he made his way back to New Jersey, returning to his roots and to the place he always felt was home.

If you knew Matt, you knew pretty quickly that he was someone special. He had an incredible amount of energy, a huge personality, and quite possibly the biggest and best smile in the world. His passion for life was contagious, and his sense of humor could light up a room. More than anything, Matt loved people and had a genuine desire to help anyone who crossed his path.

His daughters, Kierstin and Alexis, were his world. He loved his girls more than anything and was incredibly proud of them. His family meant everything to him, and there was never any question about how deeply he loved the people closest to him.

Matt was also a huge New York Yankees fan, and that passion was definitely something you knew about if you spent any amount of time with him. He loved being on his boat, enjoying the water and the smell of the salt air. Wherever Matt went, his beloved dog, Addie, was usually right there with him. She was his constant companion and went everywhere he could take her.

Matt spent 25 years working in the automotive industry. While his career was an important part of his life, the people he met along the way were what really mattered to him. He had a way of making people feel comfortable, welcomed, and cared for. Helping others wasn’t something he had to think about—it was simply who he was.

Matt was predeceased by his beloved wife, Audra Carreño. He loved her more than words can really describe. She was his true love and his sweetheart. He loved her with his whole heart, and he talked about her often. Her memory and the love they shared remained such an important part of his life. You could feel how much she meant to him every time he spoke about her.

Matt is survived by his beloved daughters, Kierstin and Alexis Carreño; Kierstin’s fiancé, Isaac; and their mother, Dana. He is also survived by his mother, Patricia Egan, and her husband, Arden Olson; his father, James Carreño, and his wife, Marianne Carreño; his siblings, Amy Carreño with Christopher Beck and Andrew Carreño with Shannon Smith, his stepsiblings, Jennifer Moore with husband Sean Moore, and Seven Werner, his beloved nephew, nieces; as well as his extended family, friends, coworkers, and the countless others whose lives he touched along the way.

What made Matt so special wasn’t just what he did. It was how he made people feel. His energy, his humor, his kindness, and that unforgettable smile stayed with people. He loved hard, laughed often, helped anyone who needed it, and never seemed to meet a stranger.

Matt was the kind of person who left a mark on you. His life was filled with family, love, laughter, the Yankees, boats, salt air, and a whole lot of heart.

He will be missed more than words can say, loved forever, and never, ever forgotten.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday September 2nd at 2pm at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Waretown, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude.