Matthew A. Erickson II

It is with great sadness and broken hearts that the family of Matthew A. Erickson II, age 68, of Naugatuck, CT, share the news of his unexpected passing on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. He was the loving husband of 44 years to Donna Gibson Erickson.

Matt was born on December 3, 1957, to the late Alyce (Van der Maelen) and Ernest Erickson in Waterbury, CT. He attended Naugatuck public schools and was a graduate of Holy Cross High School in Waterbury. Matt received his Bachelors, Masters, and 6th year degrees in science at Southern CT State University. After high school, he joined the US Coast Guard and served as a hospital corpsman for 20 years between the Guard and Reserves. For 25 years, he was a middle school science teacher in the New Haven School system, retiring in 2020. Matt was a past recipient of the New Haven Middle School science teacher of the year. He loved being a mentor to new science teachers and participated as a mentor in the annual middle school science fair.

Matt was a member and past Commodore at the Quassapaug Yacht Club, where he enjoyed windsurfing, socializing with friends and family, and helping to man the barbeque pit for regattas. He was an avid fisherman and looked forward to opening day each year. Matt was a member of the Wednesday night Hop Brook golf league and the New Haven Teachers golf league. He was a PSIA Level 2 Alpine and Telemark ski instructor and was the supervisor of the Stratton Mountain seasonal Cub Club ski program for 25 years, mentoring new instructors and sharing his love of skiing with hundreds of children.

He owned and operated a landscaping business for 30 years. Matt loved his hometown of Naugatuck and proudly served on the Housing Authority and formerly on the Blight Commission.

Above all, Matt was a devoted and loving father and Pops to his children and grandchildren, who were the center of his world. In addition to his wife, Donna, he is survived by his son Matthew (Amanda) of Wellington, CO. His daughter, Caitlin (Adam) Rivers of Naugatuck, and his beloved grandchildren, McKenna and Cael of Naugatuck. He also leaves his sister, Sharleen (Larry) Bowen of Barrington, RI, and brothers Bradford (Ingrid) of Timnath, Colorado, and Shane (Mary-Jane) of Naugatuck, and several nieces and nephews.

We will honor Matt’s legacy on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Buckmiller, Ford, Mengacci Funeral Home located at 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck, CT, from 1-4 PM with words of remembrance at 3:15 pm.

Matt’s memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends. Please honor his legacy by keeping his stories alive and consider donations to Sun, Moon, and Stars by clicking HERE or by planting a tree in his memory. Those who live in memory have never really died.