Matthew Linden Maynard, 51, passed away peacefully at home on June 11 after a long illness. He was comforted to the end by his girlfriend and best friend, Bruni Rodriguez, and her brother Nelson, his friend and buddy.
He was born on Sept. 9, 1957, the son of Robert L. and Dorothy Maynard, in Chester, Pa., but always thought of himself as a Noanker, having moved to the village with his family just five days after his birth.
Kind hearted and generous, he had a mischievous and restless spirit that all who knew him will remember. He loved his family and friends, was always there to offer a helping hand to anyone in need, enjoyed a good joke and reveled in his family's long attachment to the sea.
His lifelong love of animals filled the family's Church Street home with all variety of pets and creatures over the years, including, among others, a rooster and a pony.
His childhood love of boats and the water led him to follow his brothers and father to sea, where he made his living for many years as a merchant sailor.
He faced the challenge of his illness with an inner resolve and sought to the end to prepare those he loved for his final passage.
He will be greatly missed by his daughter, Samantha of Noank, his seven siblings and their families, Sister Barbara Maynard, SCN, of Pittsburgh, Pa., Robert L. Maynard III of Key Largo, Fla., Jeffrey Maynard of Merritt Island, Fla., Christopher Maynard of Laurel, Md., Denise Mahoney of Stonington, Therese Devens of Merritt Island, Fla., Andrew Maynard of Stonington; and many dear aunts, uncles, cousins and friends from near and far.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, June 21, at the Chester-Latham Store at the foot of Main Street in Noank. Donations in Matthew's memory may be made to Hospice Southeastern Connecticut and to the Noank Historical Society.
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