Matthew Prentice Death, Obituary – The tragic passing of our dear son and dedicated friend Matt on December 10, 2022, has flipped our lives upside down. It won’t ever be the same again. Matt has spent his entire life in Santa Cruz County, where he was born. After graduating from Soquel High School, he enrolled at Chico State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He has never been afraid to try new things, and he has always had a desire to explore new places, so it seems natural that he would be drawn to outdoor sports.
He enjoyed outdoor pursuits including fishing, hiking, duck hunting with the Duck Club, and traveling, so it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that he choose to work for the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Because of his infectious laugh and the twinkle in his gorgeous blue eyes, he had a big number of family members and friends who loved just being in his presence. Nick, Chris, Mikayla, James, Kayla, Tommy, Emilie, John and Darlene Prentice, his father and stepmother, and Heidy Burton and Brett Freiberg, his mother and stepfather, will never forget the loss of their brother and son.
His father and stepmother, John and Darlene Prentice, won’t either. His mother Heidy Burton and stepfather Brett Freiberg also won’t. Even though he was only with us for a short while, we are aware that he left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered. Although the news of his passing has left us all in a state of despair, we find solace in the knowledge that we will see him again in the future. Since he will always hold a particular place in our hearts, we shall celebrate his life in the interim by remembering and cherishing him.