Matthew J. Gottung, 33

PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Matthew James Gottung, 33, of Pittsfield, died suddenly May 17, 2017, in Lenox.

He was born September 10, 1983, in Albany, N.Y., the son of John A. Gottung and Deborah Personius Gottung. He was educated in Pittsfield public schools, and graduated from Pittsfield High School in the class of 2001. He received an Associate's Degree in Nursing from Berkshire Community College in 2009, having earlier attended Maria College, in Albany, N.Y. Matthew worked as a registered nurse at Berkshire Medical Center, and had previously worked at several area nursing homes and at the Northern Berkshire Visiting Nurses Association.

Matthew was an avid sportsman, who loved fishing and hunting, especially upland shooting. He loved the outdoors in all its forms and enjoyed gardening, canoeing, hiking and SCUBA diving. He also loved cars, cooking, reading, music and the arts, and had a life-long interest in computers and technology. He was a member of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, a former member of the Lenox and Lee Sportsmen's Clubs, and a communicant of St Joseph's Church. Matthew will best be remembered for his warmth and compassion, and for the spirit of charity and selfless generosity with which he touched the lives of many people who knew him, personally and professionally.

He leaves his parents, Deborah Personius Gottung of Pittsfield, (close companion George Waldheim) and John and Michele Gottung of Pittsfield; his brother, Jonathan R. Gottung of Seattle, Wash., (Dahlia M. Wisner); his life partner, Joanna E. Brady and her daughter Emma Boynton, also Matthew's goddaughter; his beloved dog, Avi; his grandmother, Phyllis M. Gottung of Ballston Spa, N.Y.; grandfather, Harold G. Personius of Marcellus, N.Y.; stepsister Tara Franklin (James Barry) of Williamstown; stepbrothers David Franklin (Hannah) of Easthampton, Mass., and Jordan Franklin of Dalton; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by grandparents Marshall Gottung and Laura Personius.

Matt's family would like to thank his many friends and co-workers at BMC for all their friendship and kindness shown to Matt, especially the nursing team on 2E Medical.

Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Matthew J. Gottung, 33, of Pittsfield who passed away on May 17, 2017, will be held Friday, May 26, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Pittsfield celebrated by the Rev. Monsignor Michael Shershanovich, pastor. Burial will be private.

Calling hours for Matt will be held Thursday, May 25, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Dery Funeral Home in Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Matt may be made to the Clinical Stabilization Unit at BMC or to Berkshire Mountain Search & Rescue Squad both in care of the funeral home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.