Matthew Lee Bertolino, 20, of Hampstead, NH, died Thursday, February 9, 2006 in Afghanistan while serving his country as a Marine supporting world peace and freedom. Matt was born on April 24, 1985 in Lawrence, MA and grew up in Hampstead. Matt enjoyed the outdoors, and loved skiing, snowshoeing, rockclimbing, playing paintball, golfing and shooting at the range. He also loved working out, playing video games and listening to music. Matt enjoyed carpentry and had several on-going projects at home. He loved spending time working on his Jeep Wrangler and enjoyed going for long rides to nowhere with the music playing, the top down, and feeling the wind on his face. Most of all, Matt loved sharing good times with family and friends. Matt’s future plans included pursuing a degree in criminal justice and becoming a police officer serving the people of NH. He dreamed of buying land locally and building his own home. He talked frequently of adventurous activities to do with family and friends, and he planned to continue skydiving and wanted to bungy jump and enter local road races with family. Matt completed basic training at Paris Island, completed the School of Infantry and was stationed at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, before being deployed to Afghanistan in January 2006. His commitment to the Marine Corp and his country was strong. He was proud to be a Marine.
Matthew’s family would like to thank the military personnel for their valiant effort to save Matthew’s life in the desert of Afghanistan. They would also like to thank all family and friends who shared Matthew’s time on Earth, and ask that you keep all men and women all over the world who support peace and freedom in your prayers today and always. Matthew’s favorite saying was “Everyone is alive, but not everyone truly lives.”
He is survived by his parents, Stanley and Joyce Bertolino of Hampstead, NH, two sisters, Kristen Bertolino living in Somerville, MA, Kimberly Bertolino living in Tampa, FL, his paternal grandmother Vincie Bertolino of Gloucester, MA, his maternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Richard G. Hopping of Boxford, MA, several aunts, uncles, cousins and endless friends. He was predeceased by his paternal grandfather, Leonard Bertolino of Gloucester, MA and his cousin Rhett Hopping of Auburn, ME.
Calling hours were at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry, NH on Thursday, February 16, 2006 from 4 – 8pm. Funeral services were held on Friday, February 17th at 10:00am at the Hampstead Congregational Church, 61 Main St., Hampstead, with cremation following. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Save the Children, 54 Wilton Rd. Westport, CT 06880.