North Hadley, MA – Matthew Christopher Cycz, 41, of North Hadley, MA passed away peacefully in the presence of his loving family on Wednesday December 10, 2025 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.
He was the son of John L. and Donna M. (Sarsynski) Cycz of South Deerfield, MA.
He was educated in Deerfield Elementary School, Frontier Regional High School (graduated 2002) and attended Holyoke Community College.
Matt played baseball, basketball and his favorite sport, ice hockey. He was a member of Franklin County Hockey Association, Turners Falls High School Hockey (Frontier Regional), and Amherst Hockey Association. He was a member of Cub Scout Pack 61 in Deerfield, as well as the Hadley American Legion and the Polish American Citizens Club of the Town of Deerfield.
Matthew was recently employed in the Security Department at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, which he enjoyed especially working with an excellent team. He was awarded the Presidential Safety Award for saving the life of a patient. He had also worked at the Spirit Shoppe and Hardigg Enterprises in South Deerfield, Yankee Hill Machine in Northampton and Savage Arms in Westfield.
Matt served his country for over eight years in the U.S. Army National Guard (104th Regiment in Greenfield and later the 181st Regiment in Gardner), including two combat tours in Ramadi, Iraq (2006) and Baghdad, Iraq (2008). He leaves behind his comrades in arms, including his close friend Richie O’Leary. Matt earned the Combat Infantry Badge and received a battlefield promotion to Corporal during his service in Iraq.
Matt loved to entertain others by playing his drums and bagpipes. He always ensured that his guests were comfortable and that everyone was included. Each year, he hosted a St. Patrick’s Day feast with the traditional corned beef and cabbage to celebrate his Irish heritage. Holidays were special and Matt enjoyed vacations at Lake Winnipesaukee, Loon Mountain, the Berkshires and the family campground in Vermont. He was a family man and loved driving his sons around the meadows on the golf cart. He also loved snowmobiling, boating, fishing, target shooting, watching a good movie, bonfires, Goten and all of North Hadley. He was also known as the “music man”, “candy man” and “grill master”. He spent many great times with his brother and best friend John-Michael. Matt will be missed on future adventures with the “Lost Boys”.
Besides his parents, he leaves behind his paternal grandmother, Dorothy Cycz of Hadley, MA, his wife Jillian (Sicard) and sons Connor and Trevor of Hadley, MA, his brother John-Michael (Robin) of Hadley, his mother-in-law Sandy Fortier (Jerry) of Montague, MA, his sisters-in-law Kristi Burnett (Nate) of Erving, MA, Stacey Fish (Doug) of Barnstead, VT, nieces and nephews: Jack and Benjamin Cycz , Darian, Davis, Nissa and Talon Burnett, Kayla and Cody Fish and several aunts, uncles and cousins that he was very close to. His dog Rambo will miss him. Matt was predeceased by his paternal grandfather John F. “Jack” Cycz and his maternal grandparents Michael P. and Natalie Sarsynski.
There will be no services or calling hours in the immediate future. A private burial service will be held in the spring and a future Celebration of Life is being considered, according to the wishes of the family.
Matthew’s care has been entrusted to the Wrisley Funeral Home, Sugarloaf Street, South Deerfield, MA 01373.
Donations in Matt’s memory may be made to Soldier On, 421 North Main Street, Leeds, MA, or any veterans’ organization of your choice.
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