I’m so sorry, God give this family strength and healing during this difficult time. 

To the Friedman Family,

I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I was lucky enough to go to elementary and middle school with Matt. While we were never particularly close, I will always remember how friendly and kind he always was. I had a few classes with him and he would never fail to greet me with a huge smile and ask me how I was doing every single day. We also did track together and I remember being very impressed with his speed, dedication, and headstrong mentality every single day. When I learned that he got into Cornell, I was not surprised at all. Even though I didn’t know him well, he was that one person who was my own age whom I looked up to and strived to be more like. He didn’t know it but he made a huge impact in my life and his even greater impact in our community will never be forgotten. 

Rest in peace Matt 🙏🏽❤️🕊️.

To the heartbroken Friedman family 
From Renee Narson

Matthew lit up SONS OF ISRAEL PRE-SCHOOL
Smart, sweet, involved and every one’s buddy.
My heart is so broken for all of you.  Having been through this nightmare, I can only wish you the strength and courage to continue your journey in life;  never the same; but never forget your beautiful daughters.   Hang on to each other, Matthew will forever be embedded in your hearts and souls.

Right now you are living in an alternate universe;  go at your own pace; do what’s right for you.  

In time, I will personally reach out to you, but not now.  Now you need to cling to each other.  May Matthew’s soul have a peaceful  Aliyah,  the GAN Eden is where he will watch over all of you forever.

Sending forever condolences 
Renee🦋

I want to offer my deepest condolences to everyone who is grieving the loss of Matt. He was a remarkable person and his passing has left a void that will be difficult to fill. Matt was the smartest and best guy, and it is hard to imagine a world without him. Matt and I took biology together first semester and for the first few classes I was always nervous that he was only sitting next to me in class because I didn't know anyone else in it. Somehow every single kid that walked past where we were sitting knew Matt. I used to wait by the water fountain so Matt would get a seat first that way if he texted me where he was sitting it meant he actually wanted to sit with me. Anytime I thought an assignment was hard and he didn't, he never would let me believe that it was because he was smarter than me. He would usually just say something like "oh it's because I learned this in high school, don't worry you shouldn't understand it." He was so smart but so humble. He was incredibly caring. When I was first applying to join the EMS agency at Cornell, I went to Matt to ask some questions about being an EMT. Almost every single day after that until the moment I got accepted onto the squad Matt would check in asking how the application process was going and if I needed any help. He was more excited for me when I got in than I was. And, I was beyond happy when he showed interest in joining the squad next year. Matt was truly the best, he looked out for me in every aspect. He was kind, loving, and weird in the best way possible. I will miss him everyday but am so thankful for all of the memories I got to share with him. He's a guy I wanted to get to know for the rest of my life. I knew I could always learn something new from him. Rest in peace Matt.

Dear Friedman family,
Although I didn’t know Matt that well, I was his classmate since freshman year of high school. I still remember how both of us had the same unique pair of Jordan 13’s back in 2018. In senior year, we were in the same club, Anytown, where members had to be interviewed and hand-selected by the vice principle. Not surprisingly, Matt was picked because of his love for his school community and desire to leave a positive impact on it. When I think of Matt, I think of how involved and dedicated he was to Marlboro High School. He was the very embodiment of what it meant to be a Marlboro Mustang: caring, thoughtful, involved, and selfless. My heart goes out to his family and close friends, many of whom were also in the club Anytown. Continuously praying for healing for you all. 

Dear Friedman Family,

We knew Matthew from the day he was born.  Our familial relationships go way back with Selena and her parents.  Our hearts are broken for your loss of such a special young man.  Our fondest memory is Matthew's Bar Mitzvah at Met Life,  It was a great event for a great and talented young man.

We love you and the girls and only wish for good things for your family.

With all our love,
Toby and Henry Schafer

Our deepest condolences to the Friedman family. We had the pleasure of speaking with Matthew  just a few weeks ago while on a video call with our son, Yusuf, at Cornell. Matthew was kind, mature and funny during our encounter. 

May G*d give his family patience. Matthew and his family are in our daily prayers. 

"Indeed we belong to G*d, and indeed to Him we will return." [Qur'an 2:156]
- The Zafar Family 

Forever grateful to have known Matt, although for a rather short period of time. From the moment I met him in model congress, he displayed compassion, intellect, kindness, humility, and every possible quality I still wish to be. He was incredibly inspiring even at such a young age. I am so sorry for your loss and express my deepest condolences. 

Brian/Diane and family ... we are so sorry for your loss.  Our hearts break for you.  Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dan/Kathy Wooden

Dear Ones,
I didn't know your son Matt but my heart goes out to you in perhaps a more knowing way than most. I too lost a son, Ben, who had similar interests to your boy. Ben was in his 3rd year of medical school in Syracuse, NY.  He suffered from depression and died suddenly. While we will never know if it was intentional or not, I can say with agonizing authority that the feeling of loss is unbearable. I wanted to reach out to you with all the love and compassion a fellow Jewish mother of a beautiful son can convey. 
I am here, always, if or when you would ever like to talk. It's the only way I know to share comfort when comfort seems an impossible concept. You WILL breathe again, I can promise, even though it's like learning how to breathe for the first time. For me, it's been 4 years. I'm learning how to breathe every day. 
I'm here. Always. Anytime. Evie Weinstein, Ithaca, NY. 607.592.3333.

Please accept my love and deepest sympathy for the passing of your son. child. We are sending you all our love and well wishes at this deeply saddening time. I can't imagine what you're going through with the loss of your son.

Karen and Scott May

I never got to know Matt too well, but I remember a year ago when I met him in, and he seemed like the sweetest, smartest, and most genuine person in the world, and you could tell that he was going to go far. He was a light in a lot of peoples lives, and whenever I remembered talking to him, it would make me smile.
To the Friedman family, I’m so sorry for your loss, and know that Matt is at peace now and looking down smiling.
Love always,
Emily- FHS

Although I never taught Matthew, I had the pleasure of working as his advisor on student council. Matthew was such a genuine, kind, and respectful young man. He always went above and beyond to assist others. It was not uncommon to walk down the hallway and see Matthew helping peers, teachers, or administrators. He was always smiling and such a shining light within the MHS community. He will be missed. May his memory forever be a blessing to his family and all who knew him.
 



Sincere condolences from the Cornell Club of Monmouth and Ocean counties and the CAAAN committee . Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.  May Matthew’s memory be a blessing to your family. 


“We are so sorry for your loss”

The Hede Family 

Matt was light in human form and inspired each person he encountered. He was genuine, driven, intelligent, and hard-working. Everyone, no matter how little they knew him, was touched by his presence. May he forever rest in peace and fly higher than the stars. You will be dearly missed, Matt. 

I am extremely grateful for the time I had with Matt at the Marlboro First Aid Squad and throughout middle and high school. He was truly the most talented individual I knew, yet so humble about every single one of his achievements. I will always cherish every memory we made whether it be working as a team on an intense call or getting through EMT class, it was never a dull moment with Matt. Truly the most brightest and kindest person I have met. My deepest condolences go out to his family. We promise to carry on his memory through every step we take. My heart goes out to you. 

One of the most real and genuine people I have ever met. I got to share the pleasure of taking many classes with Matt, also on the pre med track. Matt always supported me, helped me, and was a brother to me. I loved him and I’ll carry out my medical future for my brother, Matthew.

 I wanted to share a couple of pictures I had with Matthew from elementary school. I loved taking the boys to Citifield to celebrate Nicky‘s birthday and had so much fun chaperoning the fifth grade trip to Philadelphia.  Nicky and I will always remember Matt and what a wonderful person he was. Sending all our love. 

I only had the pleasure of knowing Matt for 3 years in high school. In that time, however, he greatly altered my life. It is very rare that you meet someone so talented, smart, and genuinely kind. Matt was one of these people. I always looked up to him for being such a good person, and know that he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. My deepest condolences to all, Matt will live in our hearts forever.

Diane, Brian. Alexa, and Jenna,
Matthew was a remarkable young man and will be remembered with love and awe forever by all who knew him. When I think of Matthew I remember his huge friendly smile and warm greetings every time I came to your home. Our deepest condolences to the entire family. All our love, prayers and hugs. Dana and Michael 


So deeply sorry for your loss. I know how special Matt was to my sisters family. My thoughts are with you all during this difficult time. 
Stacey Klompus 

Sending love,thoughts and strength to the whole family. You are all in our hearts.    Much Love, Grace, Mike, Diana  and Mitchel   Preisler

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.  Words cannot express how sorry we are.  Matt was such an amazing, smart and caring friend.  We will always cherish the memories of the wonderful play dates, basketball games and track meets that  the kids shared.  He will be greatly missed.

Brian and Diane,
Unfortunately  I did not know your son, but all I have heard and read is how amazing he is…. smart, handsome, driven and very, very  kind. He rides with EMT, Layla Murray. I am lucky to know her very well….. I am a mother of 3 in San Diego, the loss you both have suffered is unimaginable to me. We will pray for your family that God gives Grace and strength to you all. 
What a wonderful boy Matthew is, why God takes these amazing kids so early I will never understand… but I will always pray for you and your family. 
Take Care,
Love Lainie Carswell

God Bless, 

We are deeply sorry for your tremendous loss.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.  Matt was truly a remarkable young man and we will never forget him.  May he rest easy in God's hands now.

Sincere Condolences, 
The Piazza Family 

Matthew was one of the most ambitious and inspiring people I've ever met. Especially for someone of his young age, he was continuously thinking about what he could achieve for his future and he always illuminated that same passion into the study body. I feel incredibly lucky to have shared moments of excitement over neuroscience with him and to have been sent off to college, in one of the exciting times of my life, by his beautiful words at graduation. He was always very kind and thoughtful when talking to his friends and peers and I just know I'll never have the opportunity to meet someone as extraordinary as him again. Wishing you all love and peace.

My sincere condolences and prayers for The Friedman Family. I am the grandmother of Jasper Cahn, his friend and roommate. Although I never met Matt, I know any friend of Jasper’s would be an exceptional person . 

I will keep The Family in my prayers

Lynn Waters

     I have had the good fortune of being one of two living grandfathers of Matthew, married to Diane, his dad's mom.   We are both deeply saddened but proud to have watched him blossom into the template of what young people should strive for and older folks to marvel at.

     Matthew lived life to the fullest; in his short 19 years, his wonderful parents, Brian and Diane, were able to bring out not only the very best of him scholastically but raised a completely unassuming, kind young man who was so authentic and giving that you knew he was special even if you knew him for a brief time.

     Yes, mourn him, but more importantly celebrate who he was; a young man who set an example that all of us should aspire to; humility; achievement; service to his fellow man and a love of life.

To be cousins with this family is such a blessing. To have Matthew as the perfect role model for Andrew with his sweet,kind, demeanor made spending holidays together so special. His presence will be missed beyond belief. 
With love the Mautners 

We wish to express our deepest condolences.  There are no words to express how sorry we are for your loss. Matt was a great kid with a contagious smile.  

Much love, 
Amy, Angelo, Alex and Daniel Palagano. 

Words can not adequately express our condolences.  We know Matthew to be a great kid, teammate and valued member of the community. He always greeted us warmly on his runs through the community.  May he rest peacefully in gods arms 

Our deepest sympathy to the Friedman family

Marcia & Fred Dorfman (Benjamin Perle's grandparents)

The Perets family is sending all love and support to the family… may Matthew rest in the sweetest peace! We are so truly sorry.

Matthew will forever be this little boy in our minds. He was so kind and welcoming to us when we visited. He taught Isaac how to play video games and taught Dave how to play shuffleboard. There is a hole in the world that can never be filled by anyone else. There are not enough words to describe how heartbroken we are for your whole family and for all of Matthew's friends. 


Matt was an amazing person. Our deepest condolences to all his family and friends. 

We wanted to express our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We have no words that could adequately express how we feel about this.

With love and sympathy,
Robin, Al, Brooke, and Marissa Alda

OBITUARY

Matthew Lawrence Friedman

November 3, 2003 – April 12, 2023

Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels

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