Born June 17, 1968
Camden, New Jersey
Died Jan. 21, 2024
Manchester, New Hampshire
Details of services
A memorial service will be held at 10 AM on February 16, 2024, at St. Anthony’s Church, 305 Flynn Avenue, Burlington, Vermont. Calling hours will be on February 15, 2024, at Ready Funeral Home, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington, Vermont, from 4 PM to 6 PM. In lieu of flowers, Matt suggested donations to Swim Across America, Hope for Paws, Grey2k USA, or your choice of animal welfare organization.
Matthew Atwood, an avid hiker, nature photographer, biker, amateur radio operator, and champion of animals both small and large, passed away on January 21, 2024, at the age of 55 after a three-year valiant fight against colon cancer. Matt passed away in the company of his family.
Matt was born on June 17, 1968, in Camden, New Jersey, to Harley “Bud” and Helen (née Botti) Atwood. When Matt was 8 years old, the family moved to North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Matt graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, RI. During his undergraduate studies in psychology at the University of Rhode Island, he worked in the Rhode Island fishing industry, both as a lobsterman and at the Point Judith Fisherman’s Cooperative. Matt received an MBA from the D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University in 2013.
In 1996, Matt joyfully moved to Vermont, his emotional home, to be with his longtime partner, best friend, and soulmate, Dina, as she attended law school. In 2001, Matt and Dina (née Levin) married, and they continued to call Vermont home.
Professionally, Matt switched careers to healthcare IT, working first for IDX Systems and, later, at GE Healthcare IT as an Implementation Engineering Leader, and Director of Americas Imaging IT Services, among other roles. During his tenure at GE Healthcare, he was a 2017 co-recipient of the Terasaki Award for Medical Innovation from the National Kidney Registry. Matt was exceptionally honored to receive this award and felt that it embodied the reasons why he worked in healthcare IT. Matt completed his career in healthcare IT as a Global Implementation Leader for Philips Healthcare’s Connected Care Informatics.
Matt was an avid amateur radio operator since the early 1990’s and held the call sign WE1H. He was active in the use of amateur radio in emergency communications and was a member of the ARRL and numerous radio clubs. Matt was also an exceptional photographer, and he enjoyed traveling near and far with his wife and brother to take the many wonderful photographs that survive him.
Matt is survived by his wife and partner of 32 years, Dina Atwood; his brother, Patrick Atwood; his nephew, Sean Atwood, of whom Matt was “monstrously proud”; his mother-in-law, Dottie Levin; his brother-in-law, Michael Levin; brother-in-law, Bram Levin and wife Mayel Levin. Matt is also survived by his extended family from the Botti side: Louie and Eva Nanni; Anthony (‘Sparky’) and Sue Nanni; Richard (‘Ritchie’) and Carol Nanni; Mary Kay Myers; Christine Lacey; and many more loved ones.
Matt believed strongly that not all family members came from marriage or birth. To that end, Matt is survived by his extended, chosen family: Michael (Mike) and Kelly Fitzpatrick, Colby Fitzpatrick, and Bruce Allis. Matt loved the laughter, humor, and joy each and every friend brought into his life, even when he was losing at cards.
