Matthew Robert Snyder, age 30, passed away Sunday, December 22, 2024 from an accidental fentanyl overdose after fighting a battle with addiction for over 15+ years. He had fought the demons inside his head for over half his life and he put up a damn good fight. Addiction, however, eventually won the war. To the person who does not understand addiction, Matt will be known as just another statistic who went down a road of bad decisions followed by weakness; this is a very uneducated statement, nonetheless this, along with many other hurtful statements, is what will be said. However, those of us that knew Matt will understand.

He was not the addiction, he was not the statistic, and he was not the demons that he was fighting. Fentanyl would tell him, “I will make you feel accepted, I will make you normal, I will make you feel loved, I will make you feel worthy, I will make you feel that everything will be okay and I will make you everything and nothing all at the same time.” What fentanyl failed to tell him was that it would devastate his family. His parents would spend countless nights worried about whether he was alive or dead, his sister would lose her best friend she grew up knowing and her protector, his niece and nephew would remember him as always being “sick” but really he was detoxing or withdrawing, and he would slowly lose the friends he once cherished. Overtime Fentanyl took his one of a kind smile, his sparkling blue eyes, his goofy laugh, and his entire personality, until eventually it took his life and his last breath. Addiction does not discriminate.

Matt should not be remembered for his addiction. Growing up he always had such a bright future and big plans for what he wanted in life. He had many dreams of his own, he wanted a career he enjoyed, a life with a woman he loved, and children that would raise hell in the best possible ways, despite Matt’s struggles this was always his plan. Matt’s love for dirt bikes growing up turned into a love for his Harley. Being on his bike was his escape from the world he wanted so badly to put behind him. The only time he truly felt at peace was when he was riding. Aside from his bike, the love he had for his niece and nephew was unconditional. He did his absolute best to have them know he was always there for them. In fact, pictures of those two were all that he carried around in his wallet, they truly were his pride and joy.

He hated addiction. Absolutely. Fucking. Hated. It. He hated knowing what it was doing to him, he hated the hold it had over him. Matt never would have wished that on anyone. If Matt was still here he would have continued to fight for sobriety and he would've encouraged an active user to choose recovery. Matt wanted to live. He had a great heart with a promising future and a gift that can never be replaced. The day Matt died a piece of us died with him.

He leaves behind his parents Stephen and Tamera Snyder, his sister Shelby McNutt (Snyder), brother Grant Leffler, his niece and nephew Adaline and William McNutt, along with many grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Matthew has finally found that peace he so desperately fought for here on Earth. He will forever be riding with the angels, which would include his brother Ryan Snyder. His memory and impact he had, and continues to have, on so many lives will never be forgotten.

A Celebration of Matt’s Life will be held on Saturday, February 8th, 2025 at 2pm. This service will be held at The Sanctuary Church located at 1090 5th st. Calimesa, California. Following the service we will be meeting at the Brewcaipa Brewing Company located at 35058 Yucaipa Blvd, Yucaipa, California to continue on celebrating his life and memories amongst his loved ones. All are welcome to come and join us in honor of him. 

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