#MCDEVITTSTRONG TESTIMONIALS

#MCDEVITTSTRONG TESTIMONIALS

Read about Matt and his impact on friends, family and strangers inspired to be #MCDEVITTSTRONG

This story dates back about 5 years, right before Matt became a fireman. 

My connection to Matt is his brother Garrett.  Garrett and I went to proby school together and became fast friends.   I met Matt at various barbecues and McDevitt family functions.  I immediately referred to him as “McConaughey” for his damn good looks, incredible head of hair and easy-going demeanor.  I liked him immediately. 
Matt was a tremendous athlete and we  were both heavily into crossfit so, naturally, we talked smack.  As luck would have it, we ended up in a competition together, on opposing teams.  By the end of that day, he was the only one talking smack!  Matt was the equivalent of Mariano Rivera.  He was the closer; Larry Bird in his prime.  When his team needed a lift, the captain gave the high sign and in came Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn from the bullpen.  He put the squad on his back and nearly broke a rowing machine in the process. To this day, I have never seen anyone pull a rower at a higher pace than Matt “McConaughey” McDevitt. 
Rest easy, my friend.

HUGH BARR

Every time I start to write a testimonial it never feels like anything I say is significant enough to truly do Matt justice. What I realized is, all of my favorite memories of Matt are of the moments that were seemingly insignificant at the time, yet are the memories that meant the most. I miss the easy conversations, the laughs, the impromptu date nights and what our weekends were. Matt didn't just light up every room he walked into, he made everyone in that room feel at ease and comfortable. It didn't matter if you knew him for 10 minutes or 10 years, Matt drew you in and made a lasting impact on you. He was the salt of the earth and the guy who would be there for you at a drop of a hat and the next second he would be busting your chops. I miss the banter, my friend. Love and miss you forever.

KELSEY PELLEGRINO

1 year and I still don’t know what to write. How can I put to paper the moments and the thoughts that come and go throughout the days where I think of Matt? Some thoughts do actually come and go, some stay, and some really stay. Sometimes a cool breeze hits just right when I have a drink in my hand. Sometimes there’s a song on the radio. I’ll remember that sometimes we just exchanged lyrics to a song via text. I’ll remember the early Sunday mornings playing softball after a night out and he would hug me hello then tell me “man you still smell like vodka”. I’ll remember the golf rounds. I’ll remember the July 4th barbecues. I’ll remember when him and I were on the course, Simple Man playing in the background, and both of us made it to the dance floor, 2 feet from the hole; He turns to me and says “man that was cool”. Matt was many things to many people, to me he was a fierce friend, he never judged, he took no shit, and he got the job done. No matter how long we spent apart, when we sat down together, the time faded and was filled with story telling. To be honest I was usually happy to sit near him or Garrett and just be there. I’m honored to have shared a small piece of the wonder that surrounded him. I’ll take my memories and tell my son about my friend Matt, who was one of the best. And whenever I see this amazing group of people that Matt called family, I’ll bring the love and good vibes he always showed me.

NICK SEARA

So the amount of stories I have to share could probably shut down this website. I’ll go with the one that keeps playing in my head and since I already shared this with some people I’ll throw it out there again. I was vacuuming my 12x12 rug with no shirt on, man bunned up dancing to van Morrison when I heard a noise. I snapped around and there Matt was, leaning against my kitchen doorway cracking up laughing... “Look at you living your best life big brother." Between the music blasting and time vacuuming I never heard him come in my back door. He loved every second of it as we had a good laugh over it. I miss him so much.

GARRETT MCDEVITT

Was lucky enough to share so many great memories of Matt at New York Baseball Academy. Pleased to announce that the NYBA will honor Matt this summer. All Players winning our Iron Man award will be given McDevittStrong wristbands. It is one small way the baseball community can stay #McDevittStrong.

MICHAEL MCCABE

I’ve had the honor and privilege to be part of Matt’s life from the day he was born. I was so lucky to have a front row seat and watched that  adorable little blonde haired  boy become an  incredible amazing man. 
Matt loved life, he loved his beautiful family, his friends and his job with the  FDNY.

I could say so much about him...but what I loved  was how he made me feel. Matt was always interested, always cared about what was happening with me and the Mod Squad. He was  my biggest fan when it came  to working out and he cheered me on many times. Thats just who he was. I absolutely loved hearing him say “Aunt Chris we are coming over” and now I realize just how special and precious those days spent with him were.   I will cherish those times forever.

Over the past two years, I watched Matt battle that horrible disease...but in true Matt fashion he was a Warrior. He was courageous, incredibly strong, humble and NEVER complained.  He was an Inspiration to all that he came in contact with. I know I have become better and stronger because of him. My heart is broken but Matt and Jackie have inspired me to be  #Mcdevittstrong forever. I know some day  when we meet again he will greet me and say my favorite Aunt is here.  Love you Matt!

CHRISTINE MODAFFERI

The first day Matt brought his cakes to the firehouse, I brought him into his first fire (probably lose my job for telling this story, he was still assigned to the academy). All hell went loose, the building started to collapse and I asked Matt to leave the building...his answer was “I’m not leaving without you”.   It was that exact moment I knew I loved Matt.

CHRIS GOETCHIUS

I’ve known Matt for my entire life, and I’ve been inspired by him since as long as I can remember.  One of my first memories of Matt is meeting this young blonde-hair mushroom cut kid hanging from a tree in Charles Park and his response to my question “What are you up to?” was “ah, nothing, just hanging around.”  Ever since, I’ve been infatuated with Matt’s care-free attitude.  Whenever I sweat the small stuff, I think about Matt and him telling me to “blow it off” and “hang loose.”  Matt wouldn’t beat around the bush either, if it was bullshit, he would call it what it was.   He wanted me to be happy and worrying doesn’t promote happiness, or a good time.

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As his brother Garrett said, #McDevittStrong started long before he challenged all of us to get out and exercise on his behalf.  Matt and I have always pushed one another to seize opportunities and push past our pre-conceived limits.  We both accomplished a ton, the most rewarding being our marriages and children.  Along the way, we fed off one another.  For every race I ran, he crushed another CrossFit workout.  We competed, but more importantly, supported one another, and were the first to be there to celebrate in each other’s accomplishments, as well as comfort each other in our misfortunes.

Throughout his battle, Matt was resilient, and he persevered through the worst that a body can take physically and mentally.  I’ve never been more impressed with his humility, that was disguised as his “care-free” attitude.  He was, and is, my very best friend, and I consider it an honor to be able to tell stories of him to his son, daughter, and my daughter (his goddaughter).  He is a Hero, and his spirit and memory are alive in us all.  Stronger Together, Together Forever.

FRANK PIZZO

Knowing Matt for 20 years means a lot. It means I’ve known him since he was a silly kid wearing big jeans skateboarding. It means family vacations in the back of a mini van laughing and sneaking beers late at night. It means watching him graduate 8th grade, high school and college and being so very proud. It means meeting the love of his life Jackie and knowing she was the one. It means watching him follow in his big brothers footsteps in the FDNY and never feeling more proud. But oh wait...it means watching him become an amazing dad to two amazing babies I love as my own. It means family turned into the best of friendships. It means hoot hoot. It means #sibsesh. It means my heart is forever broken but forever strong. #mcdevittstrong

ANDREA MCDEVITT

Matt's warmth was immediately felt when I first met him through my now husband, Frank, but it was over the last 11 years I got to know who Matt was as a friend, husband and father. He was the friend that would text you on the first day of work, "hope you learn a lot of new shit today!!" but would also follow up later that day with questions like "so how did it go???." He was kind, genuine, engaged and hilarious. He had a way with words and a witty nickname or abbreviation for everyone and everything. We will never stop missing him and emulating his spirit and zest for life. He also hated complainers, so be like Matt today and think twice before you complain.

TRICIA PIZZO

Everytime I begin to write a testimonial about Matthew, I somehow don't think its good enough for this beautiful soul. John and I have been so lucky to be able to watch Matt grow up from an adorable little baby boy, and he was ADORABLE, to the awesome man he became. John is Matt's uncle but he was also given the honor of being Matt's Godfather. Matt was the best Godchild anyone could ever ask for. He never forgot John on any occasion. Whether it was delicious bottles of wine or John's favorite golf balls. Such care and love was put into every single gift. These actions meant so much to both John and I. Matthew always made us so proud that he was our nephew. A big part of us died when Matthew lost his battle, but the strength he showed through the rotten hand he was dealt, will forever be remembered and encouraging by all he left behind. A day doesn't go by that we don't speak or think of Matthew. He is forever in our minds and hearts. I know someday we will see Matthew again. I just hope he will be the one to greet us with that gorgeous smile when our earthly time is over. James, Mila...if you ever get the opportunity to read these beautiful testimonies about your dad please know that even though you lost him when you were so little, you both were so blessed to have had him for your dad. In the short time he had with you, he loved you beyond words. I know because I saw the way he always looked at the both of you. He will forever be with you. He sees you and hears you, so never stop talking to him. He was and will always be THE BEST HUMAN!!!

UNCLE JOHN & AUNT VICKI

 I can't lie - I'm struggling to write Matt's impact (on me) in prose, and how his values and principles as a man helped mold and shape my own. I will, however leave some (non-chronological) tidbits through our interactions over many years, which may be unsurprising to many of you:

1. It was Matt who introduced me to country music - he popped on some Luke Bryan in his car and I inquired. Not long after, I became an avid listener myself.
2. It was Matt who greeted me at McClancy when I was traveling as a manager with the JV basketball squad for Molloy (circa 2004). He played in the next game. It didn't matter that he was a varsity athlete while I was a freshman still trying to prove I could ball.
3. When the FDNY list was released in 2012, fellow listee Matt was someone I looked to for perspective on the process. I would check-in (via text) to see where he stood - right up until he received his run letter. It was Matt who told me I'd make "a damn good firefighter." Well Matt, I don't think I could ever be the firefighter you were.
4. I was the prideful final owner of his legendary red 2000 Ford Focus. Kept his NYIT and Matt Nathanson bumper stickers on the car right up until the end. I am forever grateful that Matt, Gary and JoAnn gifted me that car as I began business school at Cornell. It was Matt who signed those papers.
5. It was Matt who invited me to his bachelor party for some Skirmish paintball. When the idea was presented by his cousin (and one of my best friends) Pat, there wasn't any hesitation to invite me - even though I wasn't attending his wedding.

Matt was the guy who wouldn't hesitate to stop and honk his car horn in the middle of the road to say what's up if he saw me walking to the train or on run around Howard Beach. That's just who he was.

When I heard about his admission to the cancer ICU at Sloan, I didn't hesitate to visit - I had to. It was a no-brainer. It was Matt.

ANTHONY TUFANO

I have tried to write this many times it’s hard to get through but you would push through and do it anyway so I will too. We new you were handsome and polite the first time we met you, we liked you instantly (everyone does). You have an easy way about you and Jeff and I realized just how special a person you are. One of my favorite things is that you would ask me “what does my perfect day look like or what is my favorite song or singer”. You were interested in anything and everything. We have wonderful memories and cherish them forever. It is impossible to believe you are only here in spirit and will forever have a broken heart from not hugging you and hearing your voice. You made our life more beautiful, enjoyable and loving. You are #McDevittStrong and I try to live up to “what would Matt do” each day because you would always do the right thing, say the right thing or just be you always positive and easy going. You are an inspiration to everyone who knew you and many that never had the pleasure of being in your company. I am sure you found your sunglasses and caught that sailfish Keep on watching over all of us, until we meet again I love you and miss you

JEANNE PRICE

My sister scored a wonderful man. In addition to his inspiring attitude he was beefy and attractive as anything. My college roomate had a crush on Jackie and when we all met Matt the first time at Mitch's BBQ he told me with resignation"he's like a greek god". One time Matt and I had to leave a florida trip early to fly back to NY. While sitting in the palm beach airport, he pointed out to me that the woman across from us was giving us the stink-eye. I asked him what that was about and he said "I think she thinks we're a gay couple and that apparently bothers her". I was so damn excited! This lady thought that I could be dating MATT.

After not playing baseball for 20 years Matt re-taught me to throw a ball he was the best teacher and it was the most fun i've had wearing a mitt. Just this past summer he taught me to deadlift, he coughed in between sets but still crushed 315lbs. Miss you brother, I'll live my life using WWMD - (What would Matt do?)

JOHNNY PRICE

My favorite thing about Matt since the day I met him in 2008 was that he was always smiling.  No matter the setting or circumstance, he was always visibly happy to be wherever we were at the time.  It was the type of contagious attitude that made you see Matt with that big grin and think "I need to smile more." For me, #MCDEVITTSTRONG is not only a motivation to exercise everyday, but a daily reminder to smile more.  When I look down at my bracelet I can't help but smile just like he would and simply be happy to be wherever I am in that moment.  Thanks for that Matty.

KAIT MORIN

Although I didn’t know Matt for many years, in the few years I had the privilege of spending time with him he made a lasting impact. His positive energy was contagious. He was always quick to lend a helping hand and even quicker to jump in front of me to spike the ball when we played beach volleyball.

Thank you, Matt for inspiring all of us to be better. We promise to always remain #McDevittstrong.