October 20, 1969-July 22, 2021
Matthew Lawrence Harlow passed peacefully on July 22 with his family at his side in Hudson, Florida. He was born in Falmouth, Mass., and was the son of Lawrence Lumbert Harlow and Charlotte (Bourne) Harlow.
Matt cut his teeth on the steering wheel of a Kenworth. He and his dad (Larry) were a team driving millions of miles across the U.S. Matt hauled specialty freight, which included parts for the Patriot Missile Launchers, top secret government cargo, Polaroid, Scitex and Smart Home tradeshows, to name a few.
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.
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 voracious reader, historian, essayist and wordsmith. He 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 (DeSario) of 23 years 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.
To share a memory or leave condolences, please visit https://prevattfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/1586/Matthew-Harlow/obituary.html#content-start
