Obituary of Luke Matthews

Lukas "Luke" Paul Matthews was born on November 22, 1978. On August 13, 2016, after hard fought battle with Multiple Sclerosis, a diagnosis obtained in childhood, Luke's body failed, and at the young age of 37, his spirit, free of imperfection, left this Earth. What Luke cherished most were those who loved him, including his mother and stepfather, Debra and Vinny Reilly of South Carolina, his brother (and hero), Vincent Reilly, sister-in-law, Lisa Reilly, and niece Annabelle Reilly of Woodbourne, NY. His Uncle, Jeff Matthews and family of Tennessee, all of his extended family, too numerous to mention, and his friend Stacey - a true blessing. However, the love of his life was his nine year old daughter, Caitlin Marie Matthews, of Maryland, New York; who was and will forever be the apple of his eye. Luke was also a big fan of the New York Mets, the group Korn, and sour cream chocolate chip cake. Luke graduated from Eldred Central School in 1996 where he pl ayed baseball. He attended College for a short time at SCCC. Luke lived for a while in Oneonta, NY and Binghamton, NY where he made a lot of friends. Luke was a friend maker. When he was able, Luke attended services with his family at Beach Lake Free Methodist Church. If you would pay Luke a compliment he would say "I do what I can." Luke did what he could, and God provided the rest he so desperately needed from a broken body and an imperfect world. Luke goes to be with the people who entered heaven before him: his father, Silas, his brother, Justin, maternal grandmother, Betty Meng, paternal grandparents, Freida and Silas Matthews, his aunt, Mary Skehan, and uncle's, Bob MacRone and Patrick Reilly; all in the peace and wholeness of Jesus our Lord. Family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, August 18 from 12pm - 1pm at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, 111 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro. A memorial service will be then be held at 1pm at the funeral home. Interment of his ashes will follow at the Sylvan Cemetery in Wurtsboro. Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Wurtsboro. For additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com