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El libro de visitas

Le invitamos a compartir pensamientos y recuerdos de Mathias, que aparecerán aquí.

 

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I am one of Mathias’s Aunts. I will start this with a light memory, that I hold dear: Mathias’s ever-changing hair. Not just his hair itself, but his hairdos. The amazing scope of both is captured in the pictures Siri has picked out. He had beautiful hair, (and crazy long lashes), and he approached it with a combination of vanity, humor and creative opportunity over the years, qualities that were a big part of his personality. I enjoyed every phase, and while I wish I could see all the looks he might have cooked up in the future, he did more with what he had in his 18 years than most of us do with five times the years. I will hold on to his signature sense of style, and try to see myself with his eyes.

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MARIA STRIAR

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EMMA MEJIA

Mathias was not just my cousin, but a beloved friend. There are many different moments I look back on when I remember him. He always brought laughter and surprise to our little group of cousins and the rest of our family. He inspired us to challenge the ordinary and learn new things.

My fondest memories of Mathias were at the pond we used to visit in Cape Cod, where him and Emilio showed me how to catch frogs and we’d all play games on the kayak. There I also learned to beware of the snapping turtle that, of course, instilled no fear in Mathias. Years later when I returned to Cape Cod, Mathias and I set out on the paddle-board for a long trip around the pond and a sentimental talk. My tía Doris captured a video of us sitting on the board, looking quietly at the glistening water. It was really special to me at the time, but now I reflect on it as one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. I’m lucky to have the video and watch it every now and then. That summer in the Cape brought so much joy, much of which was spent with my cousin Mathias.

This is just one of so many lovely memories I have with Mathias. He has a soul that is simply impossible to forget. I think about him when I eat puttanesca, see a chinchilla, hear a tremendous belly giggle. We shared a certain goofiness that came through in our dancing, singing, ways of speaking. I miss him so much but it brings me peace to know he felt loved. I’m grateful for all the wonderful things we got to do together and can’t wait to meet again. Te amo querido Mathias, te extraño. Que descanses en paz.


Love,
Emma ♥️

Mathias was a kind and loving soul. I will miss his hug.

 

-Suraffel

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SURAFFEL ASSEFA

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REYNA ALVAREZ

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I'm remembering how much Mathias loved all things science during his time at Shady Hill. I am so pleased to have been his teacher for many years, and I loved seeing the pictures of him growing up. That is how I remember him, curious and happy. I'm thinking of all of you at this time.

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TRACY POLTE

TRACY POLTE

Late summer on the Cape was always a special time because we often had the opportunity to reunite with beloved Agassiz Preschool friends in Truro. Despite moving on to different schools and seeing each other less, the kids were always able to join together and have a blast during these dinner parties. While one of the youngers, Mathias was keenly attuned to and an importart part of the group, but could sing to his own tune happily. He always made an impression and endeared others to him. I know he will be deeply missed.

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AMY PETER AND SAM BEBERGAL

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I remember Mathias, as a little boy, at one of the Holt porch gatherings standing politely with his big brother Emilio, both all dressed up and beautiful, and oh so eager to get away from the grownups and get to their own fun pursuits.

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JOAN HOLT

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MADELEINE 

OEHLING 

Growing up with Mathias in Cape Cod, our home away from home, will be one of the fondest memories of my lifetime. From tackling each other into the ocean at Fisher Beach to making some really amazing family dinners, we did it all, and I will always look back at all of those times with a smile. Mathias always made my 8 hour drives to the Cape worth every minute of boredom because I knew we would have so much fun together during the weeks we were there. He was one of the best friends I’ve ever had. Brutally honest, intelligent, and kind. I am so glad we got to share such a special place for more than a decade of our lives. I love you Mathias.

We will remember dearest Mathias as a kind, smart and funny boy, who seemed to embrace life and often laughed so merrily when we were together. He had an incredible energy and lots of love for those around him. It was so easy to hug him and to feel comfortable in his company. The four of us have so many lovely memories of you, Siri, Fransisco, Emilio and Mathias, both here in Italy and Norway as well as in Cape Cod. In spite of the long distance separating us, it always felt so natural and joyous spending time with you. Our many happy moments together are truly cherished and we will deeply miss sweet Mathias, who will always stay in our hearts - blinking at us with his wonderful smile and beautiful eyes.

Love Anna, Neri, Leonardo and Livia Lange Malmanger Gazulli

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ANNA, NERI, LEONARDO & LIVIA

A happy memory from Cape Cod, August 2016. Miss you!

Livia Ingeborg Malmanger Gazulli

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LIVIA INGEBORG  

MALMANGER GAZULLI

I only interacted with Matthias a few times over the years, with the Striars in New York, Boston, and Cape Cod, but I felt each time I met him how fully he was loved, and how respectful he was of that privilege. He was always kind and polite, and he was wonderful with my young children. I was treated to many pictures of his beautiful face on his proud Tia Maria’s phone and fridge, and I would look at them and marvel at the way the love and affection he received from his family and cousins around the world was palpable: it was as if he was beaming it back out at the world from those deep brown eyes. It was an amazing gift. It is great have the pictures here, to see him absorbing all that love.

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AOIBEANN SWEENEY

We cherish our tapestry of Mathias memories: his grin & giggles, his stylish hair, his fearless climbing, his welcoming hugs and soul-searching eyes. And we're inspired by his compassion and caring for "kids in need of defense".

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EITHNE & ERIC

When Siri and I, who first met as two-year-olds, were both pregnant in May 2002, she asked me what names I had picked. "If it's a boy, he will be either Anders or Matthias," I said. The expression on her face said it all - she was carrying Mathias (with one t). So Anders was born a few weeks later, and three weeks later Mathias arrived (and two years after that our own Matthias arrived). We learned among other things that "Mathias and Anders" sounds a lot like "Mathias Hernandez" and were left very confused more than once. They went to Agassiz together and later when we moved to Switzerland and stayed for nine years, coming back to the Cape for a week each summer became the centrepiece of our years and of our boys' memories and beliefs about the best of life which is the best of summer: friends, beauty, water, sun, laughter, good food, friends. Mathias' name and spirit and laugh are with us every day and will be always.

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JOHANNA RALSTON

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Mathias will live forever in our hearts. We will always remember his lovely smile!

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REBECA ARTOLA

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TANYA & JOSH

We will remember your kindness, your spirit, and your zest for adventure. The memories of the times we, and our children, spent with you will remain etched in our hearts forever.

I went to school with Mathias for 3 years. He was one of the first people I met at CSW and he was a treasured friend throughout high school. I have a lot of good memories of Mathias, but what I keep going back to was one warm night in Harvard Square my sophomore year. Everyone else had left and it was just the two of us talking for a good hour. I don't remember what about, I just remember how he made me feel. How he made me smile, made me think, made me laugh. So many moments in so many places, from the back of the school bus to the Wellfleet Drive-In.

 

Mathias is an unforgettable person; a special soul whose life should be celebrated. I feel lucky to have known him in the way that I did. Rest easy M.

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NATHAN DOLNY

Mathias will live forever in our hearts. We will always remember his lovely smile!

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REBECA ARTOLA

Recently, my mom had reminded me of a time me, my little brother, and Mathias had gone down to a sand dune in Cape Cod. The beach below looked absolutely beautiful, the water shimmered and crashed against the beach floor. My mom reminded me of when we ran full speed down the dune without thinking. We dove into the cold water, but the water proved too cold. So, a dive turned into a dip. When it finally came time to leave, well, that left me and Mathias the great journey that was climbing up the sand dune. We climbed, we slipped, and we yelled at the long journey up. I remember using clam shells to help me climb. I almost gave up half way, but I saw Mathias ahead of me. Tired, exhausted, and sweaty, I looked at Mathias and thought to myself that there was no way I could give up after Mathias made it himself. I continued to climb and slip and finally made it to the top of the sand dune. I wouldn’t have made it if Mathias hadn’t kept cheering me on or climbed with me.

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ANDRES FIGUERA

Sending love.

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SAMMY HANKAOUI

I was Mathias’s school nurse, yoga teacher and group therapist. Mathias was a gentle , smart, honest,  compassionate young man. He would always speak his mind , stand up for what is right and defend others. He loved his family and was very proud of his heritage.


He had such a big heart. He felt others pain and made it his own. My own heart breaks for the incredible loss of this young man and goes out to all of his family and friends.
I would very much like to get involved in KIND and will donate in Mathias’s name.

 

God bless and keep you well,
Peggy

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PEGGY QUILTY

Everything I could think of saying about my beloved grandson Mathias has been said by others on these pages.

 

What you saw was what you got, a lovely young man of high principle.

 

Although I am not religious, I have been reciting the Jewish mourners’ kaddish for him daily as I look at his photo, happy that he is no longer in pain but missing him very much.

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MYLES STRIAR

Our familiy is stretched over the world but nevertheless there is an incredible strong bond that connects us all. When we all got together the moment I most looked forward to was playing soft ball: I remember with joy the screams of satisfaction or even the loud discussions about a pitch or a strike, on the very homemade fields that we played on both here in Italy and in the Cape. I particularly remember when you and Emilio decided to light a bonfire in the middle of where we played soft ball in Truro, in the middle of the garden of Lise and Miles!! This so you could give your italian cousins a taste of what a true american s'more is. I thank you for your generosity and your enthousiasm, they will always live on in our thoughts

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LEONARDO GAZULLI

I attended CSW with Mathias for one year, and he was my student while I was a TA for Spanish 3. He was a kind and caring friend, and was so much fun to be around. I hold him in my heart, and am sending all my love to his family and friends.

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MADI VESPA WILLIAMS

Dear Siri, Francisco and Emilio,

I took my time to visit and reflect on this wonderful space as I can be strong and fragile at the same time. Anna and Sarah introduced me to this beautiful Somerville MA Community , a group of friends and colleagues that I highly respect.

I want to celebrate his life and by it to celebrate his wonderful family. I want to honor Siri, her smile, kind disposition accompanies me from day one, always welcoming, generous, positive and friendly and when you visit them you feel like home, what a treasure.  I will always treasure Sarah's words: Let Mathias be a constant light and a guide! and his grandfather's statement: Happy that he is no longer in pain but missing him very much! Mucho amor y bendiciones.

Nancy

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NANCY MACIAS-SMITH

I woke up this morning remembering the last time I saw Mathias. I was taking a pottery class at the Truro art center in the summer of 2019 and Mathias was in my class. He sat four wheels away from me working on his bowls and cups that he was making for his family. His focus was so typical of Mathias. He was fully absorbed and ignored all the chatter around him. While I often expressed my irritation at myself for not doing it properly, he just gathered his clay and started again spinning that wheel and gracefully shaping the clay. He would greet me every morning with his lovely smile and leave with another smile directed my way. This is how I remember Mathias. I also of course remember him as a young boy learning to play baseball with Raphael and Francisco teaching both of them. Again and again he wanted to play to get it right. Raphael was ready to stop but Mathias wanted to continue on the beach long after the sun set. WE MISS YOU MATHIAS!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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NIOBE WAY

I'll always remember Sunday mornings at Tavern in the Square in Cambridge. Francisco, Siri, Emilio and Mathias coming in for their usual Sunday brunch. Stresses come with managing a restaurant but the Striar Hernandez family made Sundays a joy. Mathias would come dressed for a baseball game ready to chow and watch some football. He would have plenty to say when I made a visit to their table making sure to keep me from my mananging duties. :) I will miss his wild hairstyles but more imortantly I will miss a wonderful young man with that beautiful laugh and smile.

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JESSE CODY

From running around with him in the pond or coyote den at the Mass Audobon camp, to swimming at Fisher Beach with him for hours on end, I miss Mathias more and more everyday. He had such a contagious laugh, that still echoes in my mind. I remember sitting on the beach with him, eating salsa and chips that Siri always provided, which I was always so grateful for. I miss Mathias more and more everyday, and keep this picture in my wallet, to always have him by my side. I love you Mathias, and your beautiful heart and soul will always stay with me. Cape Cod will never be the same without you.

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CHIARA BAER-WAY

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I have beautiful memories of summer days on the Cape with Mathias and Emilio when they were little boys, when we would visit the Striar/Hernandez clan in Truro via my friend Maria Striar. This news has really broken my heart and my love goes out to all the Striars and the Hernandezes. As someone who struggled with mental illness in early adulthood, I know that it is a uniquely private hell (and a poorly understood and treated one at that) that no amount of love and support from family can necessarily overcome, and I certainly know that that love and support was there for Mathias in spades.

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TIM MURPHY

Mathias will be remembered for his amazing smile, his sparkle and his never ending ability to make people feel included. He was a kid of the sea who would alternate between scaring kids by swimming underwater to grab their legs to kayaking next to Nina to make sure she didn't feel left behind as she struggled to keep up. The image of him racing to Fisher beach on his bike to meet up with his friends is an idelible memory, like a missed second would be too much time away from them. He was loved and is missed by all. Our hearts go out to Siri, Francisco and Emilio who always amaze in their quiet way of staying close and supportive. Much, much love to all of you.

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ALESSANDRA, SIMONE & NINA

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Siempre llevare en mi memorias a Mathias, un amigo al que considere como un hermano, aun en el poco tiempo que lo conoci extrañare hablar con el acerca de nuestro futuro, ademas de imaginarme como seria tenerlo todavia entre nosotros, pero ante todo, vivire recordando todo lo bueno que el siempre represento y deseo pues eso era lo que mas admiraba de el.

Con mucho cariño, un amigo que te vio con un hermano y te extraña demasiado.

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GERMAN BALBIN

Used to take the bus every day to school with Mathias. Was always such a kind guy filled with laughter and joy and amazing jokes. Hope he's resting easy up there.

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CAL CHERTAVIAN

When I look back on my friendship with Mathias, I think of water. Majority of our memories together took place in oceans. I can still imagine his hand clinging to the back of my ankle as he would splash the water and pretend to be a shark. While I always knew it was Mathias, I would still scream out of fear even though I, secretly, knew I was protected by his touch. I think back to our ten year old selves and the moments where I would feel butterflies inside myself as I looked at him. I would always feel embasrrsed because he had no issue staring right at me with his infectious smile. Whenever I go in the ocean now I feel him. The waves symbolizing his rambunctious energy. The smoothness of the sand symbolizing his empathy for all those around him. The rocks symbolizing his determination to be a strong person at all times. To know Mathias was to love Mathias. Today and everyday I'm gratfeful for him.

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NINA LIPKIND

Hey Mathias, I miss you. I keeping seeing you everywhere I go.

Love, Marina

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MARINA

I had the privelage of watching Mathias grow up, mainly on Fisher Beach, and was always in awe of his kindness, curiosity & intelligence. While we miss his presence in the sunshine bayside, we know part of his spirit is there.

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JONATHAN SUMMEY

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Mathias was the kindest soul out there. I'll never forget all the memories we made together and I'm so lucky I was able to call him my best friend.

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JAMES MCKINNEY

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Mathias was hands down the most caring person I've ever met. He always knew what to say or what to do. He could make you laugh when you were upset, motivate you when you felt low, or just be there to hug you when you didn't want to talk. My friendship with him was short, but in that small amount of time he brought so much light and joy to my life. He was never ashamed of being himself and always encouraged me to do the same. I hope everyone can remember him the way I always will: as a wonderful, creative, goofy, sweet, and inspiring human being. Mathias, my love and friendship with you is eternal. En este momento necesito un abrazo tuyo. Te quiero mucho.

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NICOLE BANKS

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JAMES MCKINNEY

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ANN LACEY

I found out today about the memorial service for Mathias. Tracey Kaplan told me. I'm a teacher at Agassiz and I taught Mathias many, many moons ago. Scrolling through these photos brought back such strong memories of his giggle, his kindness and those eyes. I am sending deep condolences to all of you. And love. Ann

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