Matthew (Matt) Michael Gale, age 48, of Ormond Beach, Florida, formerly of Norwich, NY, passed on to heaven December 15, 2021.
Matt was born in Norwich, NY, the son of Lee and Dottie Gale on October 25th, 1973. He attended Norwich City Schools and graduated with the high school class of 1992. During his high school years, Matt was a versatile and gifted athlete who excelled as a powerful fullback for the NHS Tornadoes, and he took that same fearlessness and intensity he had on the football field to the wrestling mat where he quickly excelled in his weight class. When not playing sports, Matt could often be found hanging with his friends and cruising around in his polished-up VW that he named “Baby Blue” and playing Grateful Dead music on the radio.
After high school, Matt went to work for Henkles & McCoy where he learned telephone line and climbing skills. He then went on to spend the next 20 years working for Frontier Communications. Matt retired in January 2020 and moved to Florida to spend time with his aging parents.
Matt loved living in Florida close to his parents and his sister. He walked his beloved service dog, Onyx, on the beach and talked to or stopped by to see his dad and mom each day. He spent each Sunday, during football season, with his dad, mom, and sister watching football. Matt loved football and stayed a true Giants fan until the end. He also enjoyed his new adventure and change of career in sales.
Matt was a lifelong outdoorsman. He loved hunting but his true love was fishing. It didn’t matter if it was salt water or fresh, ocean, lake, pond, or stream, if it had water, Matt had a pole in it! The best times in Matt’s life were spent on Lake Ontario with his dad, family, and friends fishing from early morning to late evening. Matthew taught all he knew about hunting and fishing and passed his love of outdoor sports to his nephew, Gabe, who carries on this passion today.
On December 18, 2003, Matthew became a dad for the first time to his son, Alexander Lee Gale. On September 15th, 2007, his daughter Carlie Jean-Ellen Gale was born. Matt loved his children very much. He will be watching over them as they grow.
Matthew is survived by his children Alexander and Carlie of Norwich, NY, his parents, Lee and Dottie Gale of Ormond Beach, FL, his sisters Dianna (Christopher) Brown of Norwich, NY, Christine (John) Washington of Ormond Beach, FL, and his Great Dane, Onyx. He is also survived by his niece, Chelsea Russelle (Jake) of Peterborough, Ontario, CA, Gabe Leibundgut (Nikkole) of Guilford, NY, Macauley Brown of Norwich, NY, and great niece, Blair Leibundgut.
There will a celebration of Matt’s life in the future. Details for this event will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Matt’s name to the Norwich High School Football Booster Club at P.O. Box 1248, Norwich, NY 13815.