'He Was A Fighter His Entire Life': Fundraiser For 19-Month-Old's Somerset County Family

WATCHUNG, NJ — While his life was short-lived, Matteo Nappe made a huge impact on those around him. He was a "fighter his entire life."

At 19 months old, Matteo was described as "always smiling, laughing and making everyone around him grateful to have him in their lives," said Watchung Police Special Services Sgt. Peter LaVecchia.

After Matteo died last week, following a courageous battle with an ongoing heart condition, the Watchung Policemen's Benevolent Association, PBA Local #193 set up a GoFundMe fundraising page for Matteo's family.

Matteo's father Anthony Nappe works in Watchung for the Department of Public Works and is always helping the police department and supporting their PBA Union, said LaVecchia.

Matteo was born on March 14, 2021, with a single ventricle heart defect. A stent was put in and he spent the first month of his life in the hospital before returning home.

He spent the next 5 months with his parents, Anthony and Lauren and his 2 sisters Mila and Vivienne.

In mid-August 2021, Matteo had to return to Columbia Hospital and have the Glenn Procedure performed, which is a lengthy open-heart surgery.

The surgery was successful and Matteo was able to recover over the following 8 weeks.

However, in mid-October Matteo returned to Columbia Hospital for surgery to replace one of his heart valves as it was leaking.

He was able to return home for the holiday season of 2021.

"We at the Watchung PBA Local 193 are trying our best to make the Nappe situation a little easier. Being a father myself I can't imagine what they are going through," said LaVecchia.

The fundraiser has a goal of $20,000 and has already raised $4,000 since it was set up last week. To learn more about Matteo or to donate click here.

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