Matthew Lawrence Harlow

Matthew Lawrence Harlow passed peacefully on July 22nd with his family at his side. He was born in Falmouth, MA on October 20,1969 and was the son of Lawrence Lumbert Harlow and Charlotte (Bourne) Harlow. He leaves his wife Maria (DeSario) of 23 years and his daughter Abigail. Matt grew up in West Falmouth and would be seen rowing his skiff ‘Matts Rat’ delivering people to their boats, running trash, and keeping a watchful eye on the harbor. When he wasn’t rowing around the harbor, he would be found swimming at Bowermans Beach Club or jumping off the Chapoquiot Bridge. Upon moving to Hudson Florida at the age of 14 he continued his love of the sea becoming Commodore of the Bayonet Point Yacht Club. He would be seen leading a flotilla of boats to Anclote Island in the Gulf. He cut his teeth on the steering wheel of a Kenworth. For the first few decades Matt and his Dad (Larry) were a team driving millions of miles across the United States. Matt hauled specialty freight which included parts for the Patriot Missile Launchers, top secret government cargo, Polaroid, Scitex and Smart Home trade shows to name a few. Matt’s interest and knowledge of his hometown Falmouth led him to write many Facebook entries on the ‘I grew up in Falmouth’ page sharing the history and stories handed down through the generations. He was the Administrator for ‘The New Port Richey Chat’ and ‘The Florida Great Bites Restaurant and Review’. He was ever present at his daughter’s band concerts and aquatic events supporting her and her peers. Matt was an old soul and had a passion for vintage cars and music. He was a veracious reader, historian, essayist, and wordsmith. Matt was a man with a keen sense of humor, razor sharp wit, a great joke in his pocket at the ready, impeccable vocabulary, a sailor’s heart, and a dapper gentleman of the open Highway. To many of his nephews and nieces he was referred to as ‘Uncle Buck’. The man in charge at the West Falmouth Boat Club heard of his passing and struck the flag at half-mast on the dock. A true honor to a man that loved the sea, his Country, his friends and most of all his family. He leaves his wife Maria and daughter Abigail of Hudson Florida, Michael Harlow of West Falmouth, Shelly Hamilton of Diamond Point NY, Marti Harlow-Jeglinski of Falmouth, Maurie Harlow-Hawkes of West Falmouth and many nephews and nieces. Matt was always the family obituary writer and he deserted his post way too soon, so we hope this will suffice. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to St Jude’s children’s hospital can be made in his memory. A celebration of his life will be held in the fall.