Matthew D’Arcy

MATTHEW M. “MATT” D’ARCY, age 82, passed away January 7, 2015.  He was born May 26, 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio to parents Michael and Julia (nee Madden) D’Arcy, both deceased.  Both were born in Ireland; Michael close to Milton Malby, County Clare and Julia in Tourmakeady, County Mayo.  They immigrated independently to Cleveland, where they met at a dance.  After a courtship, they married on May 14, 1924.  Matt’s father learned the carpentry trade from his own father in Ireland, where they made furniture, wagon wheels and even caskets.  He expanded his carpentry skills in Cleveland and built many homes in the area, often working with his sons, John and Jim.  In fact, they built Matt’s home on East 222^nd Street in Euclid.  His mother was a domestic servant and worked for a very nice family in Cleveland Heights prior to her marriage, afterwards, she was a homemaker.

Their marriage was blessed with six children:  the late John (Jack); Frank (wife Jacqueline); the late Sister Mother Margaret Mary of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Cleveland, Ohio and Washington, D.C.; the recently deceased Matt; Jim; and the late Leo (wife Joanne).  Matt was the loving uncle of Alain, Eric, Lauri (Bob) Davidson, Ray (Debbie), Doug, John (Peggy), Matt (Beth), Linda Hanratty, and the late Lee Ann (Bill) Hvizdak, David, and Jimmy.  He is also survived by a host of loving great-nieces and nephews and cousins in the States and in Ireland.  Dear friends include Bill Carney, Lenae Meaney, and his devoted caregiver, Laura White.

The D’Arcy family moved into St. Christine’s Parish in Euclid in 1936, becoming the first Irish-American family in the grade school, where all six children graduated.  Matt went on to Euclid Central High School in 1946 and ultimately graduated in the first June class of the new Euclid High School in 1950.  He was a distinguished athlete, lettering in track and cross country at both high schools and represented Euclid at the state cross-country meet, finishing in the top 10% of the competitors.  He and his brothers, Jim and Leo, caddied for the Four Horsemen of Notre Dame at Pine Ridge Country Club in Wickliffe in the 1940’s.  They remembered the fabled football legends as great golfers as well as true gentlemen and generous tippers.

Following graduation, Matt worked as an apprentice electrician at a factory in Cleveland until joining the USAF in January of 1952.  He was stationed in Germany for three years and was able to visit relatives in Ireland while on leave.  That was the first of eight trips to Ireland, the most recent in 2004.  He received an Honorable Discharge in December 1955, and began his career at GE in March of 1956, as an instrument repair and calibration technician for the service shops division, retiring in March of 1989 after 33 years of service.  After retirement, he continued to enjoy traveling and made numerous trips to foreign countries and the Caribbean, as well as many states, including Alaska.  He was an avid collector of vintage radios and wind-up phonographs, only recently disposing of his collection.  He also took pride in his yard and flower garden.  With the help of family and friends, he hosted many 4^th of July parties on his lawn when Euclid held their spectacular fireworks displays.  He liked to sing with his “beer-baritone” voice and was known to break out in song, getting both favorable and unfavorable reviews, depending on how much his critics had had to drink.  One of his favorite songs was “Oklahoma.”  He was an active lifetime charter member of Euclid’s Irish-American Club, only slowing down when health problems arose.  Matt also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.  He was well liked and will be remembered for his kindness and his generosity.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made in Matt’s memory to the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, 3900 13^th St., NE, Washington, DC 20017 or 4108 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44108.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 12, 2015 at St Jerome Catholic Church at 10:00 AM. Burial following at All Souls Cemetery. The family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Matt at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME of WILLOUGHBY HILLS 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) on SUNDAY from 2:00 to 6:00 PM .