Steven H. Matzner

DATELINE: CRANSTON

Matzner, Steven H., 67, died Thursday, October 29, 2020 at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center. He was the beloved husband of Beth (Simon) Matzner for 41 years. Steve was the devoted father of Evan Matzner and his wife, Ariella, of New York and Shayna Matzner of New York.

Born in Providence, a son of the late Henry and Lena (Chafez) Matzner, he was a longtime resident of Cranston. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from RI College. Steve was a Special Education teacher for Cranston West for over 35 years.  He was also an excellent tennis coach at Cranston West, Lasalle and Prout for 25 years.

Funeral services and Shiva will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Be the Match Foundation to support bone marrow transplants at www.bethematchfoundation.org.

46 Comments

  1. Lucy Botelho
    Oct 29, 2020

    Coach Matzner was one of the most influential people in my life. He taught me how to be a leader. He was an amazing man. I am going to miss him very much. I am so sorry for your loss.
    Lucy Botelho

  2. Thomas Paolino
    Oct 29, 2020

    I am saddened by the death of my good friend and an excellent tennis coach. Steve was my tennis coach at Cranston West from 1983 and 1984.

  3. Ellen Gourse
    Oct 30, 2020

    Beth, Evan and Shayna,

    Rebecca and I want to extend our sympathy during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Ellen and Rebecca Gourse

  4. Kathryn Staebler
    Oct 30, 2020

    Some of my favorite memories of high school are playing on the tennis team with Coach Matzner. He truly cared so much for every member of the team and was an amazing man. I’m so sorry for your loss.

  5. Jeannie Kerwin
    Oct 30, 2020

    Unless we forget, Steven’s memory will live on forever. Through family and friends the light of his legacy will live on. May you find peace and comfort during this difficult time. Rest assured, Steven is now in God’s loving arms.

  6. Sharon Stern
    Oct 30, 2020

    Beth, Evan & Shana,
    I was very saddened to learn of Steve’s passing. I met him in 1992 at West. I was a long term sub there and he was the department head. We was a lovely and supportive man. It was so wonderful to see him a d catch up at Jason and Mor’s wedding. May his memory be a blessing.

    Sharon Stern and Gerry Friedman

  7. Catherine A Benoit
    Oct 30, 2020

    Steve coached both of my girls on the Prout School tennis team. He was a dedicated coach who took great care in getting to know each of his players. His Senior Night recognition speeches always left me misty-eyed! Please take comfort in knowing that he had a significant impact on many of us at Prout! He will always be remembered!

  8. Steve Sholes
    Oct 30, 2020

    I’m very sad to hear of Steve’s passing. Steve was a great friend of mine growing up together in Edgewood. We played ball, games and all the things that kids do as kids. His mom fed us and his dad always had a smile. I shall carry his memory with me forver.
    Steve

  9. Merrill D. Kirshenbaum
    Oct 31, 2020

    Steve and I were high school buddies. We played street hockey together almost every day after school. He was a good goalie, a good friend and a better person. My condolences to the entire Matzner family. Take comfort in all the good memories.

  10. Margie Chapman
    Nov 1, 2020

    I was shocked to hear of Steve’s passing. He had such a vibrant personality and a heart of gold. His strength was a testimony to his character. Enjoy your new and healthy life in God’s hands Steve. You will be missed.

  11. Dan Pires
    Nov 1, 2020

    I am so saddened after having read of Steve’s death in today’s newspaper. My wife and I both worked with Steve on the faculty at Cranston West. Shortly after starting as a teacher at West he reminded me I had him in class when I was his teacher at Park View. At West Steve was a conscientious Department Chairperson of the Special Education Department. He was a kind and gentle person while at the same time a supporter of the teachers in his department (my wife Joan was one of them) as well as a strong advocate for the special education students. When my wife became ill with cancer he was sympathetic and kind to her right up until the time she died several years later. This included covering her classes for her on days she had to leave early for chemo treatments. He will be missed and fondly remembered by his friends, students and colleagues. Dan Pires

  12. Kenneth A Blackman
    Nov 1, 2020

    Beth, Shayna, and Evan,
    I am so very sorry for your loss. Steve and I were close friends for over 35 years. Although tennis brought us together, there was so much more that kept us together as friends. He was a remarkable man and someone I greatly admired. He will trully be missed.

    Ken and Adele Blackman

  13. Robert Iovino-Zuniga
    Nov 1, 2020

    I am shocked and so very saddened to read of Steve’s passing. He was one of my favorite colleagues at Cranston West and a good friend, as well. He was the tennis coach for many of my foreign students, and they all loved him. I remember, very fondly, so many animated and fun conversations we had. We had, rather recently, re-connected on social media. It was wonderful to have him back in my life. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. The world has lost a beautiful soul, indeed.

  14. AnnMarie Rainone
    Nov 1, 2020

    Dear Beth my deep condolences sent to you Evan and Shayna. I did not know Steven was sick. Although I never met Steven I feel I knew of his love for tennis and teaching from working together at W&I and all our conversations. My thoughts are with you all.
    AnnMarie (DAmico)

  15. james dillon
    Nov 1, 2020

    My deepest condolences to Steve’s family. He was a true gentleman, teacher, and colleague, who had a lasting influence on everyone around him. I have many memories of him advocating for students and expressing kindness and compassion for them everyday. He will be missed and remembered…

  16. Patricia Bruno
    Nov 1, 2020

    I was saddened to learn of Steve’s passing this morning. I knew him as a counselor at Cranston West and recognized him as that strong advocate and fighter for students with special needs. He was a kind but determined and strong leader. Please accept my sincere condolences.

  17. Tom Kelly
    Nov 1, 2020

    Dear Beth, Evan & Shayna
    We are so sorry for your loss. Steve was a dedicated, gifted teacher who inspired his students both in the classroom and on the tennis court. His lessons and guidance will live on in their lives. I’m going to miss our retiree coffee meetings that we all enjoyed!
    Tom, Tommy, Patrick & James Kelly

  18. gene blair
    Nov 1, 2020

    My condolences to all . Steve and I grew up together in Edgewood . We went to Chester Barrows and Park View and then on to East. We spent many hours together on the ball field and tennis courts. He was a great kid and became a remarkable man. I am so sorry for your loss. Gene Blair

  19. Lorraine Galloway
    Nov 1, 2020

    I am so saddened to learn of Steve’s passing. His office was across the hall from mine when we worked at Cranston West. He was so kind and considerate to his department members and to the students who sought him out for advice. I especially enjoyed our rides to work together as we chatted about our work at West and about his loving family. Rest in peace, Steve.

  20. Bill Catone
    Nov 1, 2020

    I have fond memories of Steve, who I worked closely with for many years at Cranston HS West. He was a great advocate for students with special needs and a dedicated faculty member. Steve was also a most thoughtful individual, who I recall being supportive when I experienced personal loss. Steve and I also had another connection that I recall with a smile, and that was our passion for the New York Giants. His mood at work on a Monday was predictable based upon how the Giants fared on the previous Sunday afternoon. Steve will be missed and remain in my thoughts, especially when I reflect upon my days at CW. My condolences to Beth, Evan and Shayna.

    Bill Catone

  21. Brian Boucher
    Nov 1, 2020

    Through tennis Steve and I met as young guys at RIC in 1973. We had very good times on the courts at RIC, Park View JHS, and RW Park. I remember one day breaking a lamp trying out a tennis racquet in Steve’s room at his home. Steve’s father just laughed!

    A kind, thoughtful, and gentle guy… RIP, Steve

  22. Pamela Kahn
    Nov 1, 2020

    I am so sad to hear of Steve’s passing. I worked with him on the faculty at Cranston West. He was always kind and considerate with students and colleagues. He will be missed by all who knew him.

  23. Valerie Villucci
    Nov 1, 2020

    So deeply saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. He was such a positive influence to so many. Our family extends our deepest sympathy to you all, Beth, Evan and Shayna.

    Valerie and Lou Villucci

  24. Donald M. Aquilante
    Nov 1, 2020

    My condolences to the Matzner family, from a childhood friend.

  25. Jeanette Clatke
    Nov 1, 2020

    Dear Beth, Even and Shayna
    I met Steve many years ago a double date with my best friend and also his best friend. His dat was my best friend while my date was his. Years later he and his wife moved in 2 doors down, where my husband Jim. I believed the year my oldest was born. We rekindled that friendship along with our spouses, also having 2 kids the same age. Steve was a great friend to everyone he came in contact, with a kind word also. Beth, Evan and Shayna: Steve will be missed, but his memories will live on

  26. Mary Carter
    Nov 1, 2020

    My sincere sympathies to Beth, Evan and Shayna for your loss. Steve was a wonderful person, teacher and advocate for students with special needs. I worked with Steve as a teacher and administrator and always found him to be a true professional.

  27. Diane Macedo
    Nov 1, 2020

    I would like to express my sincere sympathy (along with my adult children Wendy, Amy, and Jeff) at the passing of Steve after his courageous battle with his terrible disease. He has been in our thoughts and prayers for a long time now, and we hope memories of him at happier times help you get through this difficult period. Beth, Evan, & Shayna, please know how sorry I feel that I was unable to attend Steve’s funeral due to the Coronavirus, but my thoughts were with you. I know how hard it is to lose a loved one and your grieve will always be with you, although time will gradually help. Wishing you hope in the midst of sorrow, comfort in the midst of pain.

  28. Dennis Coffey
    Nov 1, 2020

    I’m so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. Although I had not seen him in many years, I have fond memories of our time together at Park view, and Cranston East. Please accept my sincere condolences.

  29. Richard Perrotta
    Nov 1, 2020

    Beth, Evan and Shayna,

    I am so sorry for your loss. Steve was not only a mentor to me when I first started teaching and coaching tennis at Cranston East but a great friend. I have so many memories of him and many laughs. I will always cherish the time I spent with him and many life lessons he passed on. You all were always the most important to him and he will always be with you. With love Richard and Debbie Perrotta

  30. John O’Leary
    Nov 1, 2020

    Please accept the condolences of the O’Leary family on the passing of Steve. We are so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful legacy he leaves in his family and the many young people he taught and mentored.

  31. Cathy
    Nov 2, 2020

    Beth Evan Shayna and Ariella I was so sorry to hear of Steven’s passing.I was glad I had the chance to meet him several times over the years,he was such a nice man.sending prayers to you and your family Cathy

  32. Jon Foster
    Nov 2, 2020

    Very sadden to learn of Steven’s passing today. He was dealt a tough hand with health issues years ago and was blessed to have been able to rally from a malaise that would have crushed most others. From the posts written here, he lived a vibrant life as a mensch and was an inspiration to many people whose lives he touch via academics and sports. Lena and Henry would no doubt have been proud.

  33. Diane Roland
    Nov 2, 2020

    Beth, Evan, and Shayna,
    I am so sorry to hear about Steve’s passing. He was such a good man and good friend. From my first day at West, he went out of his way to make an unwanted transition to a new school go smoothly. He was a strong advocate for his staff and students and took pride in his tennis players as a coach. I will miss our coffee meets and phone calls of “do you remember (insert student name)?” May he Rest In Peace and may you get comfort in your memories of family times.
    Diane Roland

  34. Deana Barlow
    Nov 2, 2020

    I just heard about Steve’s passing and I am shocked. Steve hired me when I became part of the Falcon Family when he was the Department Chairperson. I had the pleasure of working with him for many years before he retired. He made a difference for so many students throughout the years. He was a great guy!
    My heart goes out to your family during this difficult time. Steve will never be forgotten.

  35. Steve Crawford
    Nov 2, 2020

    Steve was such a gentle soul, a kind and caring man who I met through high school tennis, a passion for us both. From his early days at Cranston West through his later years at Prout and LaSalle you could not have found a nicer guy than Steve. He was always willing to help out anywhere and he will be missed greatly in our high school tennis community. Through it all he was such a class act. I’m sure that lesson was not lost on the young men and women he coached.
    My deepest condolences to his family. Steve mattered to all of us. Peace.

  36. Michael Traficante
    Nov 2, 2020

    I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing Steve for over 25 years. He was a good man, a great role model and a dear friend. I certainly hope that Steve had a clear understanding of the positive impact that he had on so some many young student athletes over the years that he coached at Cranston High School West and The Prout School. Steve, you will be sorely missed but never forgotten.

  37. Robert Riebe
    Nov 2, 2020

    I have had the pleasure of working with Steve for the past few years at La Salle Academy. Steve was an amazing person and family man. He was an asset to La Salle students and to the tennis program. He surely found ways to influence others both on and off the tennis court. I will miss our conversations prior to practices on his knowledge of teaching and sport. My condolences to Steve’s family.

  38. Nancy
    Nov 2, 2020

    I am so sorry to hear of Steven’s passing. He was always so positive and passionate in his teaching and I am thankful that I had the opportunity to work alongside with Steven for many years at Cranston HS West. My condolences to his family and sending prayers for healing through this time. Nancy Vitulli

  39. Steve Phillips
    Nov 3, 2020

    I am so sad to hear of Steve’s passing. Steve was my coach when I played tennis at Cranston West and also my colleague when we coached together at Cranston West after I graduated. Steve was such a kind man and a very calming influence for me when I was a teenager.

    My deepest condolences go out to his family and they will be in my family’s prayers and thoughts.

    R.I.P my friend.

  40. Barbara Palombo Cilli
    Nov 3, 2020

    Coach Steve,
    A great teacher, coach, mentor and friend. Always there with words of encouragement, tennis and otherwise, even long after I graduated from West. The tennis community lost a good one. Be at peace, Steve. My comdolences to your family.

  41. Craig Sacco
    Nov 3, 2020

    It saddens me to hear this news. Mr. Matzner was a teacher, a mentor, a coach but more than that a friend. I will always remember those snow storms that he would get in my truck as I plowed the driveway. We would talked for quite some time which Steve loved to do so often. I remember how passionate he spoke about coaching and playing tennis, As a former high school coach Steve was a mentor and inspiration in my coaching. I am blessed have known Steve for so many years. I am the person, teacher I am today because of him. My condolences to your family.

  42. Peter L. Nero
    Nov 4, 2020

    I am so sorry to hear about Steve’s passing. I was very fortunate to have worked with Steve for many years. He was an excellent educator and a real fine gentleman. Always upbeat and great to talk to.

    My deepest sympathy,
    Peter

  43. Matt Desrosiers
    Nov 7, 2020

    I wanted to share my condolences. Mr Matzner was a amazing man and a great teacher. He believed in all his students and even acted as a counselor at times. He helped me through so much and I will never forget him.

  44. Adam Segal
    Nov 11, 2020

    So sad to hear of Steve’s passing. He was my coach at West. Great coach and leader. He will be missed.

  45. Jennifer Andreozzi
    Nov 12, 2020

    I am truly shocked and heartbroken to hear of Steve Matzner’s passing. He was my department chair at CHSW when I first started teaching in 1995-1996. He was a great mentor and truly appreciate him molding me into the special education teacher I am today. Time passes and never ever reached out to him which looking back, I truly regret. In 2007, I had my second son, Lucas, and had a wonderful nurse who I would learn was Steve Matzners wife, a wonderful woman, truly a small world. My condolences to his family, friends and players. Steve, may you Rest In Peace.

  46. Dorothy Martiesian
    Dec 1, 2020

    Terry and I were sorry to hear of your loss. Steve was a great person and will be missed by all of you. Cherish the memories.
    With love,
    Dorothy

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