With profound sorrow we announce that Mathew Louis Armas, age 27, of Atlanta,
GA, passed away unexpectedly and prematurely on Sunday, June 12, 2022.
Mathew was born in Quito, Ecuador to Francisco Armas and Cecilia Rodriguez, and
his older brother David Armas. Mathew grew up in Quito until he was 7 years old,
then was raised in Gainesville, FL, where he attended Norton Elementary,
Westwood Middle, and Gainesville High School. He exceeded academically, was
very involved in many organizations in all of his schools, and received multiple
accolades and awards: Citizen of The Year in Elementary School, President of his
Class and Student Body during Middle and High Schools. His passion was volleyball
to which he dedicated all his free time, either playing, coaching, refereeing, assisting
with every possible team and match in Gainesville! Mathew was an active member
the March of Dimes and Chain Reaction while attending GHS. He had an extensive
circle of friends with whom he enjoyed life, dancing, and having lot of fun, without
ever losing focus on his studies.
After high school, he attended The University of Florida (UF) where he earned a
Bachelor degree in Finance and was also involved. While attending UF, he obtained
his real state license and worked for Bosshardt for a few years.
Mathew moved to Atlanta after graduating from UF in 2016 and started an exciting
new chapter of his personal and professional life, working for The Home Depot in
the Finance field. He had a rewarding and blooming career at Home Depot, and his
family is very thankful for the professional opportunities provided to him.
Mathew was an exceptional son, brother, and friend. He had a great personality and
a beautiful smile, he was driven, smart and lived his short life to its fullest. He
impacted and inspired many people. Our lives will never be the same without him;
he will be truly missed.
He is survived by his adoring parents Francisco and Cecilia; beloved brother David;
sister-in-law Allison; his grandmother Marianita; wonderful aunts and uncles :
Donna, Terry (Michael), Kathy, Nancy (William), Liz (Oscar), Meme (Byron),
Eduardo (Gata), Patty; his adoring cousins: Cinthia, Carla, Maria José (Marco),
Antonio, Diego, Justin, Andrew, Diana (Enrique), Andres, Daphne, Riki, Samuel,
Christian, Sebastian, Aidita, Oscar, and Isabella; all the little ones in the family: Ana
Isabel, Maria Victoria, Jose Antonio, Noah, Laurel and Martin; and Irma who was like
a mother and helped raise him as a young child. Mathew also leaves behind his
loving partner Dylan and a wide network of special friends and coworkers in
Gainesville and Atlanta, who loved and respected him.
Mathew was preceded in death by his grandmother Joan, grandfathers Luchito and
Louis, his uncles Louis, Jose Antonio, Felix, Raul, and Santiago, and his cousin
Daniel.
Mathew was raised Catholic and practiced his faith at Holy Faith Catholic Church in
Gainesville, FL, where he received his sacraments of First Communion and
Confirmation. He was an altar server along with his older brother David. Now
Mathew returns to his home parish to be sent off into his eternal rest. We know
Mathew has a special place in Heaven and we have hope of his eternal life in Christ
Jesus, and our souls reuniting again with him someday.
His funeral will be held in Gainesville, FL at Holy Faith Catholic Church on Saturday,
June 25 at 12:00 pm, followed by his Celebration of Life in the church’s Parish Hall
and his burial at his final resting place at Forest Meadows Cemetery at 4100 NW 39 th
Avenue; Gainesville, FL.
REST IN PEACE … and thank you for all the memories, our sweet and amazing
Mathew!
How we miss you Mathew! Looking forward to celebrating your life and sharing stories of you with friends this Saturday in Gainesville. Watson sends his love *woof woof*
My very deepest condolences to family and friends. He was truly a bright light and will be deeply missed.
We will miss you forever!!!! It was a great pleasure to meet you…Thanks for all the time that we spent together on a volleyball court. RIP my friend…
I am missing your smile. Your presence always made me feel so welcome. I am still in disbelief that I will never see that smile again, but I am thankful that I had the opportunity to get to know you. Forever and always….LOVE YA!!
The gravity of Mathew’s mark on this earth is so evident by how many are grieving his passing right now. All who are grieving will keep his memory alive by supporting one another and reliving so many great moments by sharing memories. Chi Chi and Pancho, you raised a son who brought me so much joy. Thank you. David, I’m so glad Mathew brought us together. There is no better brother out there than you. To all noted here, Mathew was blessed by you. He looks down on you now with a grateful heart.
My condolences to you and your family. May his souls Rest In Peace. God be with your family 🙏
He always had a great vibe around himself. Loved by his whole family. Always smiling and willing to help. His time with the ones he loved will always be cherished.
I’m lost for words to ease the pain of Mathew’s family, including Dylan, and his friends. All I can say is I’m so sorry for your great loss. It’s not right to lose a loved one so young. May he Rest In Peace..
Mathew indeed did impact so many people. He is so loved and will be forever missed. His welcoming friendship was so comforting from the very first time we met. My prayers and condolences are with his family
Mathew, you were always a wonderful child. Many memories shared specially with David and your cousin Maria. Sadly distance separated all of us but love was always there. Someday we will meet again in that wonderful place we Christians call Heaven. Rest In Peace. Love, Aunt Donna
Querido Mathew, siempre te tendremos en nuestro corazón. Dios de fuerzas a tu familia para que puedan superar tu partida. Te queremos mucho.
De Irma, Ely y Gabi
I am so heartbroken to hear this! Mathew and the rest of the Armas family are lovingly remembered by me as the counselor at Westwood. My deepest sympathies to all of you.
Panchito todo mi cariño para ustedes. Que linda descripción de tu hijo. Que descanse en paz.
Estimados Pancho y Cecilia, siempre les recuerdo con cariño y me he quedado muy conmovido por el fallecimiento de Mateo. Que Dios les sostenga y les de consuelo en estos momentos difíciles.
Mi cariño fraterno y que Mateo descanse en paz..
Qué bendición haberte tenido en nuestras vidas y haber compartido muchos momentos. Tuviste una vida plena y la disfrutaste al máximo. Tocaste la vida de muchas personas con tu forma de ser, tu amabilidad, tu cariño, tu sonrisa… Te recordaremos siempre, Byron, Meme, Sebas e Isa 😘
Nuestras almas están con gran dolor al escuchar la pérdida tan prematura e injusta de Mathew. Lo conocíamos, apreciábamos y admirábamos. Por siempre permanecerá en nuestros recuerdos. Mis más sinceras condolencias.
I am so sorry for your loss. We are praying for you
We will be heavily missed, my friend. Thanks so much for blessing us with your kindness, ambition, and joyful attitude. Much love to all the family and friends from his orange-blooded family.
Que pena Pancho, te enviamos un fuerte abrazo de parte de mío, de mi mami y de mis hermanas. Muchos saludos para toda la familia. Esperamos que Dios les de fuerza para afrontar estos duros momentos. Saludos.
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Mathew was an amazing friend and colleague and is greatly missed by all
We are so sorry for your loss. We remember Mathew as a kind, quiet young man. We send our love and prayers.
We are so sorry about this heartbreaking loss. We have good memories of Mathew in his middle/high school days; he was full of energy and always respectful, kind, and a loyal friend.
Toda nuestra familia los lleva en el corazòn y en las oraciones en estos días.
Gracias por ese testimonio de amor entre ustedes y de Fe Cristiana.
Dios y la Vírgen los siga acompañando en este caminar.
¡Los amamos mucho!
Oh my goodness, thank you Francisco for sharing this beautiful story of Mathew and your family’s dedication to each other. What a fine, fine young man you raised. Wish I could say something to make you feel better-maybe knowing how much he was loved and how much impact he made on so many people can lift up your hearts. Give yourself permission to grieve and heal, over time. So many people are praying for you.
On behalf of the Armas family, thank you each one of you for your kind messages written here. The outpouring of love for Mathew and for his grieving family and friends, fills our souls and will help us get through this very sad time in our lives. Thank you to everyone who attended his funeral mass and celebration of life; it was truly an uplifting day in spite of the sadness. Mathew will be missed by so many; we hope the legacy of his life goes on forever. Mathew Armas was a wonderful son and an amazing person; may he forever rest in peace and remain always in our hearts. Thank you, dear son, for all the memories. Forever loved!