Matthew Sean Abrams was born at Goleta Valley Hospital on December 15, 1982. He attended Hollister Elementary School, La Colina Junior High School, and San Marcos High School. Matt loved baseball and said he was only half alive during the off-season. As much as he loved baseball, cycling was his real passion. Matthew was a competitive cyclist with the Echelon Junior team and won a State Championship and medaled at the US Cycling Junior National Championships.
Matthew was an intelligent athlete who was familiar with sports history and strategy as well. His analytical gifts were even more apparent when discussing politics or history. Though he denied following the news, he knew the details, the subtleties, and the background of both national and international politics and events.
Matthew was a truly sweet and gentle man. He had a brilliant and genuine smile that lit up his face. In the words of his brother, “Matthew was extremely considerate.” He was especially thoughtful when relating to young children or older adults. In recent years, Matthew became deeply committed to a spiritual path. He loved prayer and meditation, and searched out quiet chapels that were filled with deep silence.
Matthew disappeared from the monastery where he was living and working in Big Sur on May 14. There wasn’t a trace of his whereabouts for three-and-a-half months until his car was discovered over a cliff last weekend. Matthew was pre-deceased by his grandparents, Judy and Arnie Miller; and he is survived by his parents, Bev and Richard Abrams; brother, Adam Abrams; grandparents, Mary and Don Zeidler; aunts and uncles, Wendi Abrams, Brian and Eileen Abrams, Seth and Lisa Hochberg-Miller, Roger and Robin Miller; and cousins Mara, Elisheva, and Hannah Hochberg-Miller, Chase, Jenna, and Chloe Abrams; and Griffin McMannis.
Family and friends are invited to attend Funeral Services to be held on Tuesday September 13, 2016 at 12 Noon in Congregation B'nai B'rith, 1000 San Antonio Creek Road, Santa Barbara, followed immediately by interment in Goleta Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME, 757 E. Main Street Ventura.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Congregation B’nai B’rith for the Refugee Action Project, Transition House, or the Poor Claires.