Obituaries
Downers Grove Native, Teacher Matt Gavin Loses Battle With Cancer
A long-time Downers Grove resident, the popular social studies teacher and tennis coach with a knack for bringing out the best in students died Friday at age 32.
The Downers Grove and Oak Lawn communities are reeling from the death of a popular teacher and tennis coach, who lost his battle with cancer Friday.
Parents received an automated voicemail from Richards High School Principal John Hallberg informing them that social studies teacher and tennis coach Matt Gavin had passed away at age 32 on Friday morning. A Downers Grove resident, Gavin was raised in town, attending Hillcrest Elementary, O'Neill Middle and Downers Grove South High School.
Listen to the automated message from the Richards High School principal by clicking on the video attached to this article.
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After the news broke late Friday afternoon, many parents and students left messages of sadness and grief on Richards’ Facebook page, portraying Gavin as an an upbeat, hardworking educator and coach with a talent for bringing out the best in his students:
“Prayers and condolences to Mr. Gavin's family. He was a great teacher, tennis coach, mentor and friend to my son Matt. Such a tragic loss.”
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“You were one of my favorite teachers, rip my prayers are with the family.”
“I'll miss you Mr. Gavin.”
A parent spoke of Gavin reaching out and offering support for her own daughter’s medical issues in the final weeks of his life:
"So dedicated and kind … I had no idea of the extent of his illness. In my email I was chronicling my daughter's own medical issues. Not only did he respond, but he offered help and best wishes for my daughter's recovery. What an outstanding person! He was an example to us all. Rest in peace.”
Gavin is the son of Mary Ellen Gavin, who serves District 218 as a speech pathologist at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island. District 218 spokesman Bob McParland described the mood at Richards and around the district as heartbroken, where Gavin was highly respected by his colleagues, parents and students.
“Matt was an extraordinary person and such a talented, devoted educator,” McParland said. “Despite his gifts, he carried himself with great humility.”
In his automated message to parents, Hallberg said that counselors would be available at the school Monday to talk to students and staff.
Matthew Aaron Gavin was born on Jan. 22, 1981. A graduate of the University of Iowa, he taught social studies and coached tennis and the scholastic bowl at Richards High School for nine years.
Gavin leaves his wife, Kate, and infant daughter, Clare; his parents, Dr. Glenn R. and Mary Ellen Gavin; sister, Sarah Gavin; his parents-in-law, Dr. James and Elizabeth Wymore; brother in-law of Alex Rausch and Lauren Wymore; his grandmother, Lila Gavin; and many extended family members and friends.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday at Adams-Winterfield & Sullivan Funeral Home, 4343 Main St. (1 block south of Ogden), in Downers Grove.
Funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Matthew Gavin’s memory to Misercordia/Heart of Mercy Center, 6300 North Ridge Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660.
More information can be found on Adams-Winterfield & Sullivan Funeral Home's website. Condolences can also be left on the funeral home’s online guest book.
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