Matthew Charles Cresswell

Matthew Charles Cresswell was born in Manchester, NH on August 28, 1982, and went to his eternal home in the early hours of December 23, 2024, in Merrimack, NH at the age of 42, as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident which occurred on August 6, 2024.

Matt spent his early years in Candia, NH, his home for the first 18 years of his life. He attended Henry W. Moore School and Concord Christian Academy before moving to NY where he graduated high school from Smithtown West and went on to attend Stony Brook University.

As a young boy Matthew enjoyed the outdoors and spent many days riding bikes with his brother and sister to the sand pits on the railroad beds, playing “Army” with his friends, and exploring nature and the open spaces in and around Candia and Raymond. He was active in sports- playing soccer for rec leagues and school teams, riding horses, and downhill skiing. Matt skied many of New England’s prominent ski areas and even conquered Tuckerman’s ravine on Mt. Washington! Matt often re-enacted in Colonial Militia activities and spent most of his youth in varying military garb. He was a patriot and enjoyed exercising the freedoms granted by the US Constitution. He really enjoyed target shooting and spent many days at Kinnicum with his family, happily sending lead down range.

During his time in NY, Matt worked successfully in the modeling industry and later began his own carpentry business. Matt worked as a general contractor for many years, with projects in many high-end buildings in the greater Manhattan area, including several years as a finish carpenter in The Osborne.

Before coming back home to NH, Matt traveled and experienced the world, developing many deep friendships with groups of widely diverse, remarkable people. He continued to remain in contact with them as well as many childhood friends. Those close to Matt would describe him as outspoken, direct, and unwavering in his beliefs. They would also describe him as genuine, loving, and always willing to jump in and lend a hand. Saying that Matt was a free spirit is an understatement, he refused to conform to convention and lived his life his own way. His family referred to him as “Lost Boy” from Peter Pan, a term of endearment that stuck.

Matt returned to NH in 2018 where he was able to expand his skills working with reclaimed and live edge wood, under his new business name “Live Free and Build”. He resided in Hampstead, NH, then moved to Deerfield, NH in December of 2022.

While Matt’s accident was a tragedy affecting many people who knew and loved him, the outpouring of support from his friends and community has been overwhelming and shows how much of a positive difference he made on the people around him in such a short time. He is deeply missed and will be fondly remembered forever.

The family wishes to thank the Candia Volunteer Fire Department, the staff at the Elliot Hospital in Manchester, NH, and the staff at Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH for their excellent care and compassion.

Matt was predeceased by his father, William Raycroft (Ray) Cresswell. He is survived by his mother Pia Cresswell of Candia, NH; brother William Kenneth (Ken) Cresswell and his wife Karen of Aiken, SC; brother Joshua Cresswell of Deerfield, NH; “Adopted brother” Malcolm Beaulieau of Deerfield, NH; and sister Joanna Kajka of Hampstead, NH, niece Erica Harriell and her husband Devan of Riverton, UT; niece Aiyanna Cresswell of Deerfield, NH; niece Julianna Kajka of Derry, NH; niece Eva Cresswell of Deerfield, NH; and nephew William Seamus Cresswell of Deerfield, NH. Aunts - Bea Hartigan of Huntington, NY; Cheryl Myers of Raymond, NH; and Barbi Carlson of Arbor Vitae, WI. Cousins Margaret (Meg) McConnell, her husband Daniel and 4 children of Halesite, NY; James Myers, his wife Kathleen and 2 children of Raymond, NH. Despite being allergic to cats, he also leaves behind his “boys”, two adored cats Oscar and Chucky, who he rescued as kittens.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Phaneuf Funeral Home 243 Hanover St, Manchester, NH 03104 at 10 am on Saturday May 3rd, 2025. A reception will follow at The Riverside Room 250 Commercial St, Manchester, NH 03101 12pm-2pm. Please join us in remembering Matt and celebrating his life.