Matthew Ryan Walsh

Matthew (Matty) Ryan Walsh, 39, passed away unexpectedly on July 2, 2026, leaving behind a family that loved him more than words can express and countless friends whose lives were better simply because they knew him.

Matty was born in Malden, Massachusetts, graduated from Malden Catholic High School, attended Salem State University, and built a successful career in marketing. But if you asked the people who knew him best what defined his life, none of those accomplishments would be the first thing they’d mention.

They’d tell you about his heart.

Matty was the kind of person everyone hoped to have in their life. He had this incredible way of making people feel comfortable from the moment they met him. He was funny without trying, charismatic without ever seeking attention, and genuinely one of the kindest people you could ever know. He never had a bad word to say about anyone and was always the first person to offer help when someone needed it. Whether you had known him for years or had just met him, he made you feel like a lifelong friend.

He truly found joy in the simple things. He loved traveling and creating new adventures, taking long-distance bike rides, and spending time on the ski slopes. He was a passionate New England sports fan, but the Boston Bruins held a special place in his heart. He attended countless Bruins games over the years and rarely missed the chance to cheer on his favorite team. He could watch his favorite movie, Goodfellas, over and over again and never get tired of it, and he was a huge fan of shows like The Sopranos. If ’80s music or Yacht Rock was playing, you could count on Matty singing along. But nothing brought him more happiness than his beloved dog, Bodhi. The two of them were inseparable, and anyone who knew Matty knew just how much Bodhi meant to him.

Matty is survived by his loving parents, Jean and Richard Walsh; his brother, John Wayman; his sister-in-law, Molly Lister; his cherished nieces, Stella Wayman and Julia Wayman; his nephew, John Wayman; and his loyal companion, Bodhi Bear.

He was predeceased by his grandparents, Virginia and Robert Walsh, and Enes and Eugene Massone.

The hardest part about losing someone like Matty is that there simply wasn’t anything not to love about him. He was the sweetest, gentlest soul—a true teddy bear of a man whose warmth, compassion, and genuine goodness made the world a better place. He never needed to be the loudest person in the room because his kindness spoke louder than words ever could.

Our hearts are broken, and life will never be the same without him. But we know how lucky we were to have had him in our lives. His laughter, his smile, his gentle spirit, and the love he gave so freely will stay with us forever.

If you were fortunate enough to know Matty, then you were fortunate enough to know what a truly beautiful person looked like. We will miss him every day, love him always, and carry him with us for the rest of our lives.

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