Community Mourns Teen Who Died Suddenly

SPRINGS, NY — Hearts are broken as an entire community grieves the loss of an East Hampton High School senior who died Monday in what is believed to be a suicide.

According to East Hampton Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo, officers responded to the home of Matthew Lester, 17, around 5 p.m.

Sarlo, and the entire East Hampton community, are stricken by the loss of a young man long known for his civic and community spirit, long list of achievements, and love for the earth.

"This is a terrible tragedy for the community. Our sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to the family and their friends during this difficult time," Sarlo said.

At East Hampton High School, Principal Adam Fine said faced with a student's suicide, there are ways to help young people cope with grief and shock.

"East Hampton High School uses the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Toolkit as a guide as we respond to this tragedy," he said. "Starting Tuesday morning counselors were available for students all day. In addition, Joe's Project, which provides post-suicide counselors, was present from 11 a.m. at the high school. Over 50 students saw counseling and support staff during the school day."

In addition, Fine said he read a statement to the students Tuesday morning informing them of Matthew's death, and a letter to parents followed. He also conducted a moment of silence Wednesday morning for Matthew and his family.

Springs School Principal Eric M. Casale said educators are also reaching out to help in the aftermath of tragedy: "We are providing support for students and staff all week and moving forward. In addition, I sent a letter to parents letting them know of this and if they need home support to please contact school and we would have our counselors work with them as well," he said.

Stunned fellow students, and the community are grappling to handle the tremendous grief — and to help Matthew's family through the darkest of times.

A GoFundMe page, "Matthew Lester Memorial Fund" has raised $2,230 of its $5,000 goal so far.

"This past Monday we lost a beautiful young boy from our lives and the Springs/East Hampton community," wrote Susan Farrell, who created the page, and who was Matthew's Springs Cub Scout pack leader when he was a little boy; he stayed active in Boy Scouts throughout his life and was working on his Eagle Scout project.

"Matthew left us far too soon," Farrell wrote. "Witty, smart, fun, and so caring, Matthew was greatly loved. Our hearts break for the Lester family. You are helping a family that is always giving of themselves, no donation is too small. We are raising this money to help with whatever they need at this fragile time. Thank you to everyone who has offered to help and have sent your prayers and love."

East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell expressed his heartfelt sympathy: "Matthew Lester appeared at a recent town board meeting to present his Eagle Scout project, and everyone in the room beamed with pride. Now, as an entire community, we are in deep mourning, and our words are not enough to express our sorrow and support for his family.”

Kristy LaMonda said she has known Matthew his entire life.

"We served together as Deacons in the East Hampton First Presbyterian Church," she said. "Even though he was a teen he served as a full member of the board and fulfilled all the responsibilities. Every year he helped at our Community Thanksgiving dinner and many other church functions."

Mary McPartland, whose son Andrew Wilson was good friends with Matthew, wrote a beautiful message on Facebook:

"We lost a beautiful boy from our lives today. Witty, so smart, fun, caring. We love you Matthew Lester; we should have told you more. What I loved most was your honesty and how comfortable you were being your unique self. I was going to vote for you when you ran for President! And I knew you had great science ideas to protect the environment you loved. Rest in peace, loyal Scout."

She added, "Matthew was greatly loved. . . There is always someone listening. God, our prayer is that you hold Matthew in your loving embrace and offer his family peace."

In an interview, McPartland said tears are falling in East Hampton.

"It's really a very very sad time now. The community is devastated. The students who knew and loved Matthew are in deep grief," she said.

The same group of classmates, she said, have already known grief: They lost Anna Lytton, who was just 14, when she was struck by a car and killed outside CVS, a week before their middle school graduation. "They cried their way through that week. Dedicated the whole graduation ceremony and their dance to Anna," she said.

And now, the students, in their senior year of high school, are mourning Matthew.

In his short life, Matthew made an impact on many, McPartland said. A passionate advocate for the environment, he was also a dedicated Boy Scout, and volunteered time at his church, First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton, she said. A talented young actor, he also performed in Rent and Grease at the high school, she said.

Her son and the rest of the Boy Scouts, McPartland said, "are devastated. As you can imagine, the boys are a family. They meet every week. They are together for weeks at a time for summer camping, high adventure trips, hundreds and hours of community service. The loss is immense. Matt was one of our children."

LaMonda added on Thursday night, "The Scouts met tonight so that the boys and parents could meet, separately, with counselors. We are all still in shock."

Matthew, whose life was filled with memories of Little League games, camping, and a Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride, cared deeply about the natural world around him, she said.

His Eagle Scout project was based on the environment — a flowering garden to attract honeybees.

"Matthew was a bee expert," McPartland said.

And now, his fellow Scouts hope to see his Eagle Scout dream realized. "Hey, Matt, I'll miss laughing and joking with you in class and at Scouts every week," McPartland's son Andrew wrote on Facebook. "I know you're looking down on us now. I'd like to finish up your Eagle Scout project. I knew that was something you were really going for and I think with a little help from everyone, we can help you accomplish it. Rest in peace."

McPartland added that Matthew's life was bright with promise: "He was literally going to be a presidential candidate one day, I'm sure of it. He ran for Class of 2017 president at EHHS. The students who knew him knew why he was running; they appreciated his passions."

On Wednesday night, about 30 students from Springs who are members of East Hampton High School's Class of 2017 gathered with their middle school teachers, "to reminisce and think of ways to honor his memory. They ate pizza and shared their stories. They are coming up with a memorial scholarship in his name, for students who wants to go on to study civics, government, math or environmental science and who are demonstrated good community citizens in high school," McPartland said. "There are about 55 students from Springs who all started together with Matt, in kindergarten. Thirty of them got together last night to share memories. That's saying a lot — 13 years later," she said.

Remembering Matthew, McPartland said he was very involved with civics, and with honoring veterans, marching in Memorial and Veteran's Day Parades, in the Scout color guard. "He attended the Veterans Day service for the older Vets, and planted American flags every year at the cemetery on Memorial Day," she said. "When my son Andrew was working his way through his Scout ranks, he came to Star Scout, which required an environmental project. Andrew chose to construct bat houses for the fields behind Springs School. Matthew led the way with Andrew, first on the project. They gave up lunch time for weeks to work on that. Matthew came to every one of the boys' Eagle projects. He painted, raked, built, sold raffles — whatever was necessary."

Funeral services for Matthew Lester will be held at Yardley & Pino Funeral Home, 94 Pantigo Road, in East Hampton, on Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton, located at 120 Main Street in East Hampton. Interment will be private.

Donations can be made to the Springs Fire Department, and to a still to be determined organization for teen suicide prevention.

Photos courtesy of GoFundMe, Mary McPartland.