It is with heavy hearts that we announce the untimely passing of Matthew Harrison on March 13, 2024, just over a week before his 44th birthday.

Matt was born in Oakland on March 22nd 1980. He grew up in Danville, California with his adoptive parents, Betsy and Glenn Harrison and his sister Liz. 

As a music lover, he would often be seen all over the Bay Area supporting local bands. Especially the punk and metal scene. Some of his favorite places to be were at the Grange Hall or Veterans Hall in Danville in his teens and 20s. Besides live music, he loved Iron Maiden, Dropkick Murphy, Primus, and so much more. He would also make music of his own. He played the guitar, bass, drums and tuba.

He met his first wife,  Heather Lovell in the sandbox as children . They were high school sweethearts in 1999, and were married in 2001. Together they had 1 daughter, Tobias,  in December 2003. 

Matt met his second wife, Stephanie Spence. They were together 14 years and were married in 2014. They had 3 children. Samuel, born in November 2005, Mattie Rose born September 2010, and Zoey born November 2018.  

Matt was able to pack a lot of experience in his short life. He was an avid fan of the Oakland A’s, and enjoyed going to games since he was a child. Matt enjoyed fishing with his kids, camping, hiking, floating down the river drinking beer - everything outdoors. 

He also had a love for cooking,  and was an adventurous foodie; trying and enjoying many foods that most would wince at.

While Matthew had endless moments of joy, he also had a life of complexities. He battled many health issues; both mental and physical. Addiction dominated, and later claimed his life. The last few years, the disease, unfortunately, brought Matt to places of incredible darkness. If there is a glimmer of light in this tragic loss of life, is that he no longer suffers.

However, he should not only be remembered for his struggles. Something to know about Matt, he loved life. He loved people. He loved nature. He loved love. Matt lived his life authentically and unapologetically. He never let stigma censor his spirit. He should be remembered for that. 

“May the sunshine warm upon your face. May the rains fall upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.”

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