Mathew Russell Hand

April 26, 1976 – July 18, 2018

Mathew Russell Hand passed away peacefully from cancer on Wednesday, July 18, surrounded in his final days by his loving family and friends. Mat was born in Santa Monica to Russell Edward Hand and Karen Frash Hand.

Before he started walking, Mat was drawn to anything with a wheel, be it boat or an automobile. Some of his fondest childhood memories were sailing to Catalina and boating in the Pacific Northwest with his parents and friends.

Mat attended St. Matthew’s Parish School and matriculated to Harvard Westlake School. He attended Boston College where he graduated with honors in 1998.

During a semester in a Spanish immersion program in Seville, Spain, he developed and refined his love for Spanish literature and poetry. Always gregarious and approachable, Mat formed countless, lifelong friendships at each of these schools.

East Coast winters brought Mat back home to Los Angeles. He soon moved to San Francisco to join an automobile startup where he met his wife Katie. This marked the beginning of a career in the automobile industry that included running the family automobile dealerships with his father and uncle, Ray Hand.

In addition to his family and friends, Mat’s great loves included the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston College basketball, daily park trips with his kids, fishing, boating, Pink Floyd, Spanish literature and Cadillac Margaritas. Most of all, Mat’s sun rose and set for his children, Ashby and Declan.

Mat’s good nature and humor gained him many friends. He did not sweat the small stuff and lived life with enthusiasm, optimism, gratitude and kindness. He battled cancer for nine years with courage and grace, and was a class act until the end.

Mat is predeceased by his father, Russell Edward Hand, and survived by his mother, Karen Frash Hand, wife, Katie Moroney Hand, and two beloved children, Ashby O’Rourke and Declan Russell Hand. Additionally, Mat is survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and dear friends.

A memorial was held at St. Matthews Parish Church in Pacific Palisades.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Mitchell Thorp Foundation (mitchellthorp.org) which helps support families with terminally ill children.