Mathew John Harrison June 24, 1986 – September 7, 2026
Mathew John Harrison passed away on Monday, September 7th, 2026, doing one of his favorite things, paddleboarding in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Mathew’s life mission was to make every person he met feel like they mattered, from strangers passing on the street to his deepest lifelong friends, of which he had many. He was his true authentic self, unapologetically, which created a magnetic pull that will leave many lives touched and hearts broken.
Mathew was born in Wayland, MA spending his summers on Cape Cod. The Cape was his happy place, a place no matter where he lived, he always referred to as his home. He simply loved the ocean and watching sunsets over Buzzards Bay. He was an excellent sailor and skier, an average golfer, and more recently spent one of his favorite summers learning to be a tuna man. He had a big booming voice and a wild sense of humor, ensuring there was fun and laughter all around him.
Mathew moved to California for college, earning an Electrical Engineering degree from Santa Clara University, and started his sales career in Silicon Valley. That was also where he met his beautiful wife, Carrie. The two of them have lived in several places since, first moving back to Boston before settling in the Tampa Bay area. They welcomed their beloved dog Laszlo to their family first ten years ago and a son, Hayden Thomas last year. Mathew loved being a dad.
He is survived by his wife, Carrie Ripberger Harrison, and their son, Hayden Thomas, his parents, Richard and Johanna Harrison, his grandmother, Patricia Harrison, his two brothers, Zachary Ryan Harrison and Samuel Richard Harrison, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws as well as friends and neighbors across the last 40 years.
His playfulness, humor and love of his friends and family made the world a better and happier place. He will be very much missed by so many.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to one of Mathew’s favorite causes, Tunnel to Towers. Mathew had tremendous respect and appreciation for all who served. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.