Obituary of Matthew T. Gardner

Matthew T. “Matt” Gardner, 39, of Waterford, beloved husband of Michele Gardner, passed away at Samaritan Hospital in Troy after taking ill at home on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

Born and educated in Lansingburgh, New York, Matt is the son of Lisa Coalts (Harry) Theopheles and Wayne Gardner.

Matt was a Heavy Equipment Operator for Peak Environmental in Round Lake and had previously been employed at The Town of Waterford and The City of Troy.

Matt lived and breathed demolition derby. He celebrated his 20th year running the Schaghticoke Fair in 2022 and was eager to run another 20 years. He made derby season a "family thing". Matt will always be remembered spending morning, noon and night with his wife and boys all summer working on the cars. While busy building his own cars, he always found the time to help others get their cars ready for derby day. One of his greatest joys was the several opportunities he had to share the track with his wife. Over the years Matt was the center and backbone of an incredible collection of fellow derby drivers from all over the country, they truly were his second family.  

Matt spent many years expressing his love for Baseball and his family by coaching in the Lansingburgh Little League. He coached for close to a decade for his beloved Sister and son Thomas. Music was always a staple in the Gardner household. A Metal drummer for his entire life he found comfort "hiding behind the kit" on stage but anyone who knows him can speak to his presence and passion for playing. Matt passed this love to his equally passionate and talented sons Thomas and Sean. Matt could be found in his free time playing golf, shooting darts, watching Marvel or Horror movies. Matt was also known for being a HUGE war buff, he could tell you anything you wanted to know...or didn't want to know.

Some of his closest and dearest family are his beloved wife Michele, devoted mother and stepfather Lisa and Harry, Matt is the incredibly proud father of Thomas and Sean Gardner and Jakob Taylor; Big brother of Ben Theopheles and Sarah Reed. Cousin to Jerry and Zach Thomas and loved niece Emma Reed.

In lieu of flowers, it is asked that you please bring a die-cast car for Matt’s son Sean to the calling hours so that he can then make a Derby Car from them.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. for family and friends to gather and tell stories and support the family at the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, Inc., 565 Fourth Avenue (at the corner of 115^th Street in Lansingburgh) Troy, NY 12182.

The family would like to especially thank the Northside Fire Department and Rescue Squad in Waterford for all of their efforts.

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