The roads and highways around Rhode Island are where Matt Cipriano carried out his work as a truck driver. The streets of Albion and Manville are where he resided and raised his family. But the road to where Matt truly lived out his dreams, where he spent the best times of his life, those are the roads that lead to you "up North" to Newfound Lake, New Hampshire and over the line into the woods of nearby Maine. Those are the roads Matt took with his family to a place that was indeed Matt's little "slice of Heaven".
This is the story of Matt's roads.
Mathew J. “Matt” Cipriano, Jr., 74, of Manville passed away unexpectedly Thursday January 18, 2024 at Miriam Hospital in Providence. Matt went on to his eternal and well-deserved rest surrounded by the love of his family. He was the loving husband of Nancy J. (Holubesko) Cipriano. On April 24, 1971 Matt and Nancy took the plunge and said their “I do’s” at St. James Church officiated by Rev. Roger Marot. Off and running they were for more than half a century mutually devoted to each and still in love, even after all these years.
Born in Pawtucket and raised in Albion, Matt was a son of the late Mathew J. Cipriano, Sr. and Evelyn (Blanchette) Cipriano. He was a graduate of Lincoln High School, class of 1967. He was a lifelong resident of Lincoln.
In his earlier years Matt worked at several area firms including American Chemical, B&W Inc. and Textile Motor Express. He was a professional truck driver for Hudson Liquid Asphalt Corp. for many years before retiring in 2010.
Matt’s life revolved around the one thing that was of the utmost importance to him. That was his family, hands down, bar none. Matt’s role in life, his “#1 job” as he saw it was being a loving husband to his wife Nancy and as father to his namesake son Matt and daughter Pam. Everything he did, he did for them.
Outside of work and family Matt was an active and supporting member of the Manville Rod and Gun Club and the Woonsocket Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge # 850. As a professional truck driver Matt was a member of Teamsters Local 251. Matt was also a member of the Border Riders Snowmobile Club.
The beauty of New Hampshire and Maine was where Matt found his own special sense of solace. It was there he beheld the beauty and all of the enjoyment that nature has to offer. Family trips up north were among his happiest times and they will forever be the bedrock of family memories.
Matt was an avid outdoorsman who loved his daily walks, often with his daughter Pam by his side, fishing and hunting. Matt’s two most favorite activities were snowmobiling and hunting with his son Mathew in the northern woods of Maine and spending time at his beloved cottage in New Hampshire, sharing good times with his family and friends. It was there he taught his grandsons Nolan and Ethan how to water ski, fish and drive the boat. Matt could always be seen sitting outside enjoying the breathtaking views of the pristine Newfound Lake and chatting with the neighbors and friends nearby. Matt was such a fixture at the cottage that if his truck was not parked in front of the cottage for a few days people would call the family to make sure nothing was wrong. Matt’s presence was a hallmark of life at the cottage and his absence will be missed by all who had to privilege of knowing him.
In addition to his wife Nancy, Matt is survived by his son Mathew J. Cipriano, III (East Greenwich Police Department) and his wife Kristin of North Kingstown and his daughter Pamela Cipriano Shayer and her husband Jeffrey of Douglas, MA. Matt was the grandfather (a.k.a. “Pep”) of Nolan and Ethan Shayer, both of whom he was forever proud! And Matt was not shy to say so either! Matt was the longtime friend of his fellow teamster Charlie Trant.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather to remember, honor and pray for Matt at his Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday February 1, 2024 at 10:00 am in St. James Church, Division St. Manville. Following the Mass there will be an opportunity to pay your respects to the family.
Matt will be laid to rest at St. James Cemetery in Manville at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial donations in Matt’s memory be made to the Epilepsy Foundation of New England at 650 Suffolk St. # 405 Lowell, MA. 01854 or www.epilepsynewengland.org or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Pl. Memphis TN, 38105www.stjude.org.
Arrangements are in care of the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home
www.menardfuneralhome.com