Mr. Matthew Gustav Meinecke, a resident of Andover, passed away suddenly on February 10, 2022 at the age of 41 years young. Matthew, lovingly known by many names including Matt, Matty, D Monster, Tao, and Chef Gustav, was born in Amsterdam, New York on August 21,1980 to loving parents, James G. and Michele (LaPorte) Meinecke of Amsterdam, New York. Matthew is survived by his beloved partner Amy E. Whicher, as well as his parents James and Michele Meinecke, maternal grandfather, Gerard LaPorte, sister Rachel A. Meinecke of Amsterdam, New York, and his brother James G. Meinecke and his wife Rebecca McWilliams of Concord, New Hampshire. Matthew is also survived by his beloved partner’s parents Gordon R. Whicher and Susan E. Whicher of Hampton, New Hampshire, sister Christina H. Calderwood and her husband Brad A. Calderwood of Andover, Massachusetts and sister Laura M. Rossetti and her husband Samuel J. Rossetti of Reading, Massachusetts. Uncle Matty will be deeply missed by all including his many nieces and nephews, Conner, George, Becca, Tori, Paige, Nathan, Maeve, Juliet and Jacob, whom he adored. He also leaves behind his cherished dogs Millie and Moose.
Matthew had a magnetic and gregarious personality, making friends everywhere he traveled. The single best word to describe Matthew is passionate – he was truly passionate in everything he did professionally and personally, he did everything big, and he was a true artist at heart. Matthew was passionate about cooking and adventure, but he was most passionate about his family and friends. Matthew found his love for cooking early in life passed down from his grandmothers and great aunts and through his mother and father. And he also found his love for candy at a young age, something that he shared with his sweet partner. Food was central to Matthew’s life, and anyone lucky enough to feast with Matthew would have thought he invented cooking. He glowed with happiness when anyone enjoyed his food. He was also extremely passionate about only eating great food. Matthew was a devoted grandson, son, brother, uncle, partner, and friend, and would go out of his way to lend a helping hand to anyone he could and would do everything he could to make people feel special. Matthew loved his dogs with all his heart, and often spoiled them with homemade tasty treats. Millie and Moose loved snuggling and just being with their daddy.
Matthew was happiest in nature, and he took solace in the outdoors. Matthew had a relentless love for adventure that was best reflected through his passion for skiing, which he shared with his beloved father, James (Jim), partner Amy, and many friends. Matthew grew up skiing at Gore Mountain in NY, taught children at Killington in Vermont, and was always up to hit the slopes with friends and everyone who could keep up. Matthew was lucky enough to find a partner in Amy, who shared his love of the outdoors. Matthew’s affinity for water carried throughout his life, spending countless hours boogie boarding, boating, and hunting for swimming holes. Matthew also spent much of his time outdoors hiking and camping with his partner, dogs, and friends, using the opportunity to create campfire feasts as he entertained with his larger-than-life storytelling. Recently, he began the endeavor of gutting and restoring a 1973 Winnebago, tentatively named Bruce, with plans for epic road trips.
Matthew graduated from Amsterdam High School, in Amsterdam, New York and attended Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont where he studied Adventure Recreation. He found his true calling at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Food Service Entrepreneurship. Matthew continued to hone his skills by traveling the northwestern hemisphere as a Chef, starting his journey as an intern at Blue Ginger Restaurant in Wellesley where he directly studied under Ming Tsai, celebrity chef. In 2005, Chef Gustav decided that the mountains were calling and packed up his ski gear, bound for the pristine peaks of Aspen, Colorado. Matthew became Sous Chef at Rustique Bistro/Renaissance Restaurant for James Beard nominee Charles Dale. In 2007, Chef Gustav was referred by Charles Dale to be a Guest Chef on the M.S. Ryndam (Holland American Cruise Lines) for a 2-week cruise in the Caribbean. After returning, Chef Gustav continued his culinary career working at Jimmy’s Restaurant where he reached Executive Chef. Matthew then became a private chef for the Aspen Food & Wine Classic for five years. Matthew took a position with Conundrum Catering, where he worked as an assistant to a Bravo Top Chef contestant, was a private chef for Shaun White and other riders at the X-Games for five years, and catered then-Senator Joe Biden’s 2012 campaign party. Following his time in Aspen, Matthew traveled to Maui Lahaina, Hawaii to be a Working Chef at Sure Thing Burger for Michelin Star rated Chef Josiah Citrin. Matthew’s skills as a culinary artist saw him appointed as a Private Chef at David Copperfield’s Musha Cay Exuma Islands in the Bahamas. After a decade of traveling God’s green earth, home was calling. In 2014, Matthew moved to Boston where he became Executive Chef at West on Center in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Matthew was regularly featured in the local newspapers and was filmed by Fox News Trip Tips. Matthew’s love of family brought him to Lewis Farm of Concord, New Hampshire, and Matthew used his expertise to plan and cater lavish meals for Farm-To-Table dinners where he further developed his personal and professional interest in clean, organic living. When COVID hit in 2020, Chef Gustav hung up his professional chef hat and transitioned into other lines of work where he could continue to use his hands. Matthew was an excellent craftsman and salesman who poured himself into everything he did, most recently for Affordable Chimney Sweeps in North Andover, Massachusetts.
Matthew's passion for life and his love for those dear to him made him stand out as unique and unforgettable. Affectionately called a “Gentle Giant,” he loved purposefully, deeply, and always with his heart on his sleeve. He treasured tokens of those he held dear. Matthew's giant personality and even bigger smile were apparent wherever he would go. He was playful and goofy, and also full of the optimism that comes with dreaming big because anything is possible! Matthew's love was endless, unconditional, and supportive. Matthew's passing leaves a lasting impact on so many who will always remember him and the positivity that he tried to bring into the lives of those around him.
A celebration of Matthew’s life will be held in the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover on Saturday, February 19, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Family and friends are most welcome to attend. We plan to officially share our favorite stories of Matty at 4 p.m., and invite any family and friends to join in. Light refreshments will be provided.
Donations in Matthew’s memory may be made to Future Chefs at https://futurechefs.net, or the Ronald McDonald House Charities at https://www.rmhc.org. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.