Matthew E. Laufer

Matthew Edward Laufer, age 42, of Shelton, joined his mother, Toni Anne, in Heaven by peacefully running into her arms, surrounded by his loving family, on Sunday, July 17 at The Connecticut Hospice, in Branford. A graduate of Fairfield High School, Matt also attended Norwalk Community College. He was an avid sports lover, and excelled at any sport that he endeavored. He enjoyed music of many genres, and could often be found spinning the DJ role at parties. He had many friends. He also enjoyed playing guitar, and the occasional garage band jam sessions. Imagine the joy in that as a teen; then imagine your life without it.
At the age of 17, Matt suffered the tragic, unexpected death of his mom and had an extremely difficult time accepting her loss. On top of that emotional loss, Matt, at the age of 23, had his own physical mobility stolen from him by two tractor trailers and the interstate. He was paralyzed from his chest down.  Another profound loss for a weary soul. It has been 19 years, way too many hospitalizations, numerous secondary infections, sheer panic and fear that stole his peace, respiratory failure, heart arrhythmias, the need for a ventilator. It takes a brave man as determined as Matt was to try his best, and even when he didn’t feel like it, he gave the best of himself to others. Matt has always advocated for himself. He worked very hard to share his emotions through creativity. His poetry speaks volumes about the ups and downs of life as a “wheely”, as Matt jokingly called it. His abstract art put his actual soul on display as he shared his profound emotions on canvas. He was a member of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artist Association. Next time you receive cards in the mail from them, you might be surprised to find a ML creation; painted by mouth. Matt took great pride in his willingness to teach others how to care for him, teaching doctors how to actually “LISTEN” to him. He was especially grateful to Dr John Paul Ayala, and to Dr Ram Gordon and the MICU staff at Bridgeport Hospital for the phenomenal care that you all have provided to him over many years. He inspired and assisted others in many quiet ways. Even in his own pain and suffering, he was a teacher, a student, a listener, a grateful individual. Matt was random acts of kindness in human form. He is deeply loved by so many, and he will be deeply missed.
Matt is survived by his parents, Daniel and Jane Laufer, of TN, formerly of Shelton, four siblings, Jaime Laufer of West Haven, Kara (George) Satalino of Berlin, Melissa ( Noel) Hamilton of Shelton and Michael (Katie) Mandanici of Sevierville, TN. In addition, he is survived by his grandmothers Anna LaBella of Stamford, and Marjorie Laufer of Lenox, MA; aunt Kimberly (Mauricio) Zapata and their children Andrew and Taylor. He is also survived by many aunts and uncles, and cousins. Matt especially loved his ten nieces and nephews, Madison, Mykala, Gabriel, Luke, Sam, Cece, Nate, Jameson, Connor, and Willow.
Matt was pre-deceased by his mother, Toni Anne LaBella Laufer, and his grandfathers, Edward M. LaBella and Daniel B. Laufer, Jr. and his special grandmother, Edna M. Miller.
The family gives special thanks to the compassionate, caring nurse angels and our sweet “Dr Benny” at Connecticut Hospice . Your love for all of us was palpable at a most difficult time.
We can never forget the un-ending kindness shown to Matt and all of us by the Fairfield Fire Department, Matt’s rescuers on the day of his accident and up until the present. You are angels too and live in Matt's heart.
Friends may greet the family for calling hours on Sunday, July 24 from 2pm-7pm. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 25 at 10:30 am at St Thomas Aquinas Church, 1719 Post Rd, Fairfield. Burial will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Matthew requests that donations be made to The Bridgeport Rescue Mission or Connecticut Hospice in Branford.