Morrisville State College mourns the loss of Matthew Shea
Andrew Thomas
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: News
On Jan. 19 a Morrisville student died in a tragic automobile accident upon his return to campus after winter break.
Matthew Shea, a 21-year-old student from Prospect, Conn., was an equine science and management student who planned on graduating in the spring. He lived in Helyar Hall and worked at Jazzy Joz.
After getting his degree, Shea's goal was to become a horse trainer. He wanted to train all types of horses in western pleasure.
"Matt wanted to help disabled people by using horses as therapy," said Matt's friend and co-worker, Sierra Hunter.
Katelyn Longbine, another friend of Shea, said he "wanted to open a riding school for disabled pets."
Hunter and Longbine said Matt's hobbies consisted of being with his horses and hanging out with friends. Longbine said Shea also enjoyed "going to McDonald's where he got a double cheeseburger meal without cheese."
Hunter said her best memory of Matt was working with him. "He always joked around, throwing ice and washcloths to make anyone laugh," she said.
On Jan. 26 a memorial service for Shea was held on campus in STUAC, led by Chaplain Steve Young.
"The memorial was very well done," said David Symonds, the coordinator of service for students with disabilities, "People from across campus went to the service."
Symonds said university police officers, people from MAC, teachers, students and more came to the service. "It showed how many people Matt affected," he said.
Symonds said Shea had a talent of connecting with people. He said people recognized Shea because he was involved in his major, working at Jazzy Joz, and other activities.
"He changed people's day. You don't have to have a building named after you to be important or have an impact. Matt's impact was an everyday impact and Matt being Matt brought smiles to people's faces," Symonds said.
Chaplain Steve Young said, "Matt was a wonderful, kind person that lived his faith with everyone that he met. He always made people feel as though they were very important and we can all learn a valuable lesson from him and how he lived his life."
"Matty had impacted everyone surrounding him," Hunter said. "He was an inspiration; he proved that you could do anything." Hunter said Matt taught her to become more selfless "because he was selfless and he cared for everyone." Hunter said she would like to tell Shea's family that she is thankful for the time she had with Shea and that his parents "raised a really great guy."
Maryanne Drew, a co-worker of Shea, said he was a good person and she will "always remember Matt's smiling face."
Matthew Shea, a 21-year-old student from Prospect, Conn., was an equine science and management student who planned on graduating in the spring. He lived in Helyar Hall and worked at Jazzy Joz.
After getting his degree, Shea's goal was to become a horse trainer. He wanted to train all types of horses in western pleasure.
"Matt wanted to help disabled people by using horses as therapy," said Matt's friend and co-worker, Sierra Hunter.
Katelyn Longbine, another friend of Shea, said he "wanted to open a riding school for disabled pets."
Hunter and Longbine said Matt's hobbies consisted of being with his horses and hanging out with friends. Longbine said Shea also enjoyed "going to McDonald's where he got a double cheeseburger meal without cheese."
Hunter said her best memory of Matt was working with him. "He always joked around, throwing ice and washcloths to make anyone laugh," she said.
On Jan. 26 a memorial service for Shea was held on campus in STUAC, led by Chaplain Steve Young.
"The memorial was very well done," said David Symonds, the coordinator of service for students with disabilities, "People from across campus went to the service."
Symonds said university police officers, people from MAC, teachers, students and more came to the service. "It showed how many people Matt affected," he said.
Symonds said Shea had a talent of connecting with people. He said people recognized Shea because he was involved in his major, working at Jazzy Joz, and other activities.
"He changed people's day. You don't have to have a building named after you to be important or have an impact. Matt's impact was an everyday impact and Matt being Matt brought smiles to people's faces," Symonds said.
Chaplain Steve Young said, "Matt was a wonderful, kind person that lived his faith with everyone that he met. He always made people feel as though they were very important and we can all learn a valuable lesson from him and how he lived his life."
"Matty had impacted everyone surrounding him," Hunter said. "He was an inspiration; he proved that you could do anything." Hunter said Matt taught her to become more selfless "because he was selfless and he cared for everyone." Hunter said she would like to tell Shea's family that she is thankful for the time she had with Shea and that his parents "raised a really great guy."
Maryanne Drew, a co-worker of Shea, said he was a good person and she will "always remember Matt's smiling face."