Matthew Joseph Maienza

Matthew Joseph Maienza March 5, 1979- April 16, 2020 Matthew Joseph Maienza (Matt)--beloved son, brother, uncle and friend--passed away unexpectedly April 16, 2020 in Ashville, NC. As a certified master mechanic in the professional bike racing community, Matt contributed his expert maintenance skills and high-performance bike knowledge to the professional bike racing community. He contributed to national and international World Cup racing events in New York, Canada, Portugal, Italy, and Andorra. Providing a foundation for his career, Matt started his training at Barnett Bicycle Institute and gained further experience from Sram Technical University in Colorado Springs, CO; Marzocchi, and Manitou, in Valencia, CA; Campagnolo and Fulcrum, Vicenza, Italy; Magura in Santa Fe, NM, Shimano in Irvine, CA; Campagnolo North America in San Diego, CA; Cane Creek in Fletcher, NC and DT-Swiss in Grand Junction, CO. Matt was born in Melrose, MA and lived in Westford MA until graduating from Westford Academy in 1997. Matt was an avid mountain biker, participating in numerous events at a competitive level. Before his career with the professional biking community, Matt led white water rafting tours for the Santa Fe Rafting Company and staffed bike shops in Colorado and New Mexico (Santa Fe Mountain Sports; University Bicycles, Boulder, CO; Wheat Ridge Cyclery, Wheat Ridge, CO). Eventually, he became a suspension technician at Bicycle Technologies International (BTI) in Santa Fe, NM; and then Fox in Fletcher, NC. Matt’s singular, passionate, and limitless spirit was manifest in his reverence for and celebration of the great outdoors (especially the mountains of Colorado, New Mexico and the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina), his commitment to excellence in his craft, his inability to suffer fools lightly, and friendships far and wide he made around the world. We pay tribute to Matt’s unforgettable character--his spontaneous kindnesses, being an unforgettable soulmate, finding humor in the everyday and his ability to make a significant, resolute impact on anyone he met. For those of us who were privileged to know and love Matt, his legacy lives on when we show steadfast, unbridled devotion to family, joy in friendship, reverence for nature and champion humanity as he did, which illuminated as a bright light. Matt is survived by his parents, Janice and Joseph Maienza, of Westford, MA, his brother, Scott, and his family (wife, Elizabeth, and children, Nathan and Hannah) of Hudson, MA; his aunt, Johanne Cragin and her family (husband, Jim, and cousins, Michael, Kevin and Christopher (predeceased)) of Wallingford, Ct; his uncle, Paul Maienza, of Winthrop, MA; his partner for 10 years, Coy Maienza, of Santa Fe, NM; his significant other, Anna Digges, of Ashville, NC; his faithful dog, Tito, and numerous extended family members and fortunate friends. Here are tributes to Matt: I grew up two houses away from Matt and we were friends our entire lives. Incredibly gifted, Matt was a renowned skater, snowboarder, and lead vocalist. He was also the funniest person I've ever met. In high school, it was impossible to hang out with him for the night and not come away with some memory that would put a smile on your face for years to come. Even when he moved out west, he'd still call frequently out of the blue and make me belly laugh for 10 to 15 minutes straight. A short conversation with him could pull me out of my worst day. But his real gift was that he was an amazing friend (no one brought me more comfort after losing my son). He was always there when I needed him most, and I wish I could have done the same for him. I considered him my brother, and I will forever treasure the moments we spent together. (Patrick, Westford) Matt was incredibly generous to me and so many others. He was incredibly intelligent but never seemed to understand the level that he was, in spite of hearing this from so many people. He was an intense researcher—if he was going to make a purchase, there would be days and days of research. Matt would more often than not know more than the salesperson and other alleged experts. He made me lazy because I knew I could just ask him instead of looking for something myself. I always knew that Matt cared for me, even in turbulent times he wanted to be sure I was okay. He seemed incapable of saying my name without exclamation; I already miss that. You always knew where you stood with Matt. Matt loved his dogs and felt an intense kinship with each of them, claiming he and Bluto, his first dog, shared a brain. Whatever he was doing, he did with intense passion and focus. Matt was fiercely loyal and had more integrity than anyone I’ve ever met. He was a captivating storyteller, often sharing tales that just seemed unbelievable. Yet there was always someone he could, and often did, call to confirm the story. (Coy, Santa Fe) Just last month, Matt worked for me as my race mechanic at the Tennessee National. Before the race, as I was warming up and we went to the start line, he was torn between staying calm and collected and going full Boston to hype me up. He wanted me to win the race so bad, he would have done anything to help me. Matt would have taken a bullet for anyone in his inner circle. Friends like that are hard to come by. (Neko, Asheville) Matt’s infectious smile and laugh drew me to him immediately. He was a warrior. He loved hard and fiercely supported his family, friends and me. He embraced life to the fullest and taught me to do the same. When Matt would say, “Babe, let’s go somewhere,” I’d know that meant an adventure because he had a way of making even the smallest things BIG. I am incredibly grateful that I was able to share part of my life with him and know his love. He was a gift to my heart and I will carry his light with me forever. (Anna, Asheville) In keeping with Matt’s devotion to life-affirming causes, donations in his name can be sent to the Tessa Foundation, Box 8751, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504 www.tessafoundation.org A celebration of Matt's life will be held at a later date.

Matthew Joseph Maienza

March 5, 1979 - April 16, 2020