Matthew Morrissey

Our beloved, Matthew J. Morrissey, left us on March 3, 2022. Matt led a big life full of adventure and travel. He was happiest outdoors fishing, camping, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, skiing, or boating with his friends and family. He is loved and adored by his two sons, Dylan and Shea, and his wife, Jennifer, of over 20 years. Matt was born on April 21, 1973, to Kathleen Farrell and Richard “Dick” Morrissey (1942-2018) in Boston, Massachusetts. He is the oldest of three children, including his two sisters Elizabeth (Shawn and daughters, Claire and Isla) and Jillian (Phillip and son, Rhone). He was also loved by his Minnesota family: his mother and father in-law, Keith and Cindy Zahratka, and Jen’s siblings, Dean (Nikki children Haley, Derek, Cory), Tim, Thor (Lydia, children William, Emma, Baby Odin), Mike (Katie, children Nolan and Elsie), and Lindsey (children Taylor and Gage), as well as his buddy, Grandpa “Buck” Zahratka.

As a boy Matt loved to vacation with his family; steal chicken nuggets from his younger sister; eat ice cream; hike with his dad; swim at the club with his mom and sisters; explore fishing holes around his neighborhood; stay with his grandma at the cabin on Square Pond; get in trouble with his cousin Ken; and visit national parks around the country with his dad. He graduated in 1995 from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont. He skied and played hard in college: worked at the original Ben and Jerry’s, hung out at Nectar’s, and was a talented competitive swimmer. In college, he met his life-long friend, Sean Stevens. After a year of being a ski bum and night auditor at Big Sky Resort in Montana, he returned home to Cumberland, Rhode Island and took a job as an outdoor instructor at Horizons for Youth in Sharon, Massachusetts, where he met Jen in August 1997. Jen always joked she couldn’t date a guy who had a ponytail (he had long wavy hair!) but the two found themselves spending all their free time together and quickly making a passionate connection that lasted 26 years.

Matt and Jen moved to Durango together in 1997 and spent several years playing and traveling together - Mexico, Belize, Chile, or just around the West – exploring new places and taking in new sights. Matt and Jen were married on August 10, 2001. Dylan Jay was born in 2007. Shea Joseph came along in 2009. Matt and Jen and the boys made a wonderful life in Durango surrounded by amazing friends and frequent family visitors. Matt picked up the reins at Chapman Hill officially in 2001 when the rink was a lonely sheet of ice in a dirt parking lot. Matt was the facility manager at Chapman Hill from 2001-2020. Matt understood the history and promise of Chapman Hill and fought to realize its potential for the benefit of everyone in the Durango community. He took great pride in his work and dedicated himself to making Chapman Hill a place for everyone to enjoy for over 20 years.

In December 2020, Matt accepted a position as Director of Base Operations at Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyoming. He wanted to see if he “still had it.” And he did! He took on a big job with the same integrity and passion as he always did. He successfully completed a large capital improvement project in his first year, including a new parking area that he dubbed “jumping mouse” in honor of Jen’s work and consistent with the animal references to other parking areas. More importantly, he advocated for his staff and implemented a new salary structure to provide better pay and benefits for those who worked for him.

Matt loved so many things. He loved skiing and floating rivers with Jen and the boys. He loved fishing with Sean and Beek. He loved rafting trips and camping with the Dellings, Mullens, and Hansons. He loved skiing with Burkhart and the guys. He loved drinking scotch with his grandfather-in-law. He loved flowers and gardening – a hobby he learned from his mom and dad. He loved Mexico vacations and taking his father-in-law fishing. He loved cooking for people and making people happy. He loved Fourth of July holidays at Vallecito - he would take anyone tubing or fishing who would get in the boat. He most often entertained boat-fulls of kids all afternoon long. He loved the Patriots and going to games at the old Foxboro Stadium with his dad.

Matt was a man of high ideals and always sought to improve the world around him. He had a huge heart and uncompromising love for his family and friends. He would do anything for the people he loved. His soul was genuine and timeless. The world is less exciting, and our lives forever broken without him. Matt’s energy, spirit, and legacy are all around us and will live on in his boys forever. We will honor and celebrate Matt, in every big and small way, every day, for the rest of our lives. He is cherished and sadly missed by all those who love him.

A gathering in honor of Matt's life will be held on Saturday, April 2nd from 2-5 pm at the Edgemont Community Lodge at 40 Red Canyon Trail in Durango, Colorado. All are welcome.