Matthew Peter Crugnale

Matthew Peter Crugnale, 90, of Carmel by the Sea, CA died peacefully in his sleep on October 6, 2026 with his wife Elisabeth by his side. Born In 1936 to his parents Rocco Crugnale and Julia Baldesarri, Matt is survived by his wife Elisabeth, his sons Mark, David, and Tim; and his grandchildren, Jordan, Taylor, Dylanne, Dakota, and Cameron.

Matt attended 12 years of Catholic School, graduated with honors in Electrical Engineering from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, and completed his graduate studies at MIT in Cambridge, MA, finally starting his career as an Electrical Engineer for General Electric in Syracuse, NY.

Although trained as an Engineer, Matt quickly made the jump into sales and marketing, a career choice more in tune with his personality (a self-described “Maverick”), the peak of his success with GE came as the World Wide Sales Manager based in Amsterdam, when he broke many sales records and increased GE’s worldwide marketshare. After GE, Matt spent a short stint with Beckman Instruments in Whittier, CA, eventually moving on to Silicon Valley, where he spent more than 30 years as a high level Marketing Consultant.

Matt and Elisabeth originally met in Amsterdam, where they were friends and co workers. Years later, the pair became romantically involved, and eventually they lived and worked together as high tech consultants in Menlo Park, CA for many years; and after which, the two retired to their dream home at Carmel by the Sea where they lived happily together for over 30 years.

More than just a businessman and engineer, Matt fancied himself a Renaissance Man: Extremely well-read, and knowledgeable of many topics, Matt had an uncanny ability to synthesize large amounts of information, and became known as an “idea man,” a trait that served him will over the years, especially as a mentor to his children and grandchildren, and as a friend and associate in his professional life.

Besides Matt’s success in Business, in his younger days, Matt played mean bingo and guitar, possessed a wonderful singing voice (a tenor), and loved playing folk music. In addition to his love of music, he was also a story teller. Always ready with a remembrance, anecdote, or otherwise funny story, Matt could chat it up with anyone: from brushes with celebrities, to high level corporate executives, to the everyday man in the street, he loved to laugh, and to make others laugh—his most memorable and lovable feature that we will miss the most.

Dad, Grandpa, thanks for the good years and the time we had together. We love you and we will miss you

A Funeral Service will be held at The Paul Mortuary, 390 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, US, on November 2, 2026, at 11:00 am, with a live stream available at https://together.oneroomstreaming.com/3PQF6G.