Darien High Student, 17, Remembered As Fearless, Loyal Friend

DARIEN, CT — A 17-year-old Darien High School student is being remembered as a fearless, loyal and hilarious friend who loved the outdoors, mountain biking and cars old and new.

According to his obituary posted by Lawrence Funeral Home, Matthew Barker McEvoy died March 31. A driven and goal-oriented student, he played on the school's varsity lacrosse team and had an interest in the Mandarin language, which he hoped to combine with his passion for mountain biking by one day working for a bike manufacturer.

To his friends, he was seen as "someone easy to be around, with a great sense of humor and always up for anything. He was fearless and the first to jump into a moment, whether he was biking down a trail, flipping into the pool or skiing a crazy black diamond. He was confident, inspiring and could truly do anything," according to the obituary.

Services are scheduled to take place Thursday at Noroton Presbyterian Church, located at 2011 Post Road in Darien, at 1 p.m.

On Tuesday, the town's Human Services Department said in an email the community had "suffered unimaginable loss" last week and noted the department is available for confidential counseling for any resident.

The town will also host a virtual discussion about grief and loss Friday at 10 a.m., which will be led by certified grief counselors, according to a notice from the town.

During a Board of Selectmen meeting Monday, First Selectwoman Monica McNally also noted the town had "experienced immeasurable tragedy and loss" last week, leaving many residents with profound grief.

"My heart is broken for the families. They are in all of our thoughts and prayers," McNally said during the meeting. "On behalf of myself and the board, I express my sincerest condolences."

Read the full obituary at Lawrence Funeral Home.