Robert D. Matthews Jr.

1963 - 2014

Robert D. Matthews Jr. obituary, 1963-2014

BORN

1963

DIED

2014

FUNERAL HOME

J.S. Waterman Langone Chapel

580 Commercial Street

Boston, Massachusetts

Robert Matthews Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 20, 2014.

Robert D. Matthews Jr. of Boston, Vice Chairman of Commercial Banking and a member of the Citizens Finan- cial Group board of directors, died unexpectedly on Decem- ber 19. He was 51. Mr. Mat- thews was devoted to Citizens' success and instrumental in leading the Commercial Bank- ing division into new markets, new specialties and, in Sep- tember 2014, a new era as a publicly traded company. He firmly believed in the Citizens' credo that pledged dedication to one's colleagues, clients, and community and found the in- teractions with the people he worked with and with his cus- tomers to be one of the most important aspects of his career. "Our entire Citizens Financial Group family of colleagues mourns this tragic loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with Catherine, Robert's wife, and his family," said Citizens Financial Group Chairman and CEO Bruce Van Saun. Mr. Mat- thews joined Citizens in 2007 from Citigroup, where he had been Executive Vice President and Head of U.S. Commercial and Middle Market Banking. Previously, he worked inter- nationally, holding a number of senior leadership positions in Asia and Latin America. Ev- erything that Mr. Matthews did in his personal and profes- sional life was inspired by his extraordinary intellectual curi- osity and enthusiasm for life. He lived his life with the pur- poseful intention to give back to his community and, above all, to always choose kindness when determining his actions. A lover of music and the arts, Mr. Matthews was the driving force behind the creation of Boston's first free summer per- forming-arts festival, Boston Summer Arts Week, presented in collaboration with the Bos- ton Globe and WGBH. Over the past three years, nearly 90,000 visitors experienced the best of the arts on historic Copley Plaza thanks to his leadership. As a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra's board of overseers, Mr. Matthews was a major supporter of the BSO's work. This year, he co-chaired the BSO's annual summer fund- raiser, Presidents at Pops, which raised more than $850,000 to support the orchestra's educa- tion and community engage- ment programs. Mr. Matthews loved American history and considered civic engagement to be an honor. He served as vice chairman of the boards of directors of the Paul Revere Memorial Association and the National Constitution Center, and was a supporter of the Bostonian Society. He was on the board of directors of Jobs for Massachusetts and the Pri- vate Export Funding Corpora- tion. With his wife, Catherine, he was passionately supportive of Community Servings and its mission of feeding the critically ill in Massachusetts. His family found a spiritual home in Bos- ton's Old North Church and en- thusiastically encouraged the Old North Foundation's work to educate the public about its place in America's story. Above all, he gave willingly and hap- pily of material and emotional resources to anyone in need. He loved to travel and to plan trips for his family and recent- ly visited Africa, a trip he had dreamed of since he was a little boy. More than anything, Mr. Matthews loved his family and recognized the importance of spending time with them and of creating memories that will now sustain them. He was an extraordinary man, loving hus- band and wonderful, devoted father. His sense of humor was quick, irreverent and un- quenchable. He delighted in conversation with people from all walks of life. Mr. Matthews was born in West Virginia, raised in Western Pennsylvania and cherished the values and ethic of hard work, discipline and hope that family instilled in him. Mr. Matthews received his bachelor's degree in eco- nomics from Harvard Univer- sity, with an emphasis on la- bor relations and bargaining behavior. He is survived by his wife, Catherine, and their two daughters, Nicole and Camp- bell. He is also survived by his mother, Karen Anderson, his brother, Steven Matthews, and his family, brother John Mat- thews and John's wife, Diana, and their family, his mother-in- law, Catherine Contey, brother- in-law John Contey, sister- and brother-in-law Alexandra and Greg Schutz and nephew Cole LaBruzzo. He is also survived by his friends and colleagues, too numerous to mention, who share his openhearted nature and love of laughter. A wake will be held on Sunday, Decem- ber 21 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Boston Harborside Home of J.S. Waterman & Sons-War- ing-Langone, 580 Commercial Street, Boston. Funeral services will be on Monday at 10 a.m. at Old North Church, 193 Salem Street, Boston. Parking for Old North Church is available at the Government Center Parking Garage located at 50 New Sudbury Street and Fitz Inn-Auto Park located at the corner of Commercial Street and Hull Street. In lieu of flow- ers, his family requests dona- tions be made in his honor to the following organizations: Community Servings, 18 Mar- bury Terrace, Jamaica Plain, MA; the Boston Symphony Or- chestra, 301 Massachusetts Av- enue, Boston, MA; Paul Revere Memorial Association, 19 North Square, Boston, MA; or the Old North Foundation, 193 Salem Street, Boston, MA.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Matthews

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Not sure what to say?

August 31, 2019

Vithyatharan Karunakaran

Very sad to hear this. I worked with Robert in Citibank Malaysia, often times I think of him. He was a great human being.
Vithya

August 31, 2019

I worked with him in CItibank Malaysia. Very sad to find out about Robert. I remember him as a good human being. RIP.
Vithya

February 2, 2015

Carlos Fernandez

So sad to know of Robert's passing. We lost touch with each other long time ago, but have memory of important moments with him at Citibank, Dominican Republic. Carlos Fernandez

January 10, 2015

John Smilo

So sad to hear of Robert's passing. We lost touch with each other, but reading all of his accomplishments made me proud, and brought back a flood of great memories.
Catherine... When you are up to it, contact me and I'll share some great stories with you

January 9, 2015

Karen DeSimone

Dear Cathy, I send you, your daughters, and your entire family my love and prayers.

January 2, 2015

Catherine:
I just heard about Roberts passing. You may remember me from the time he led Citi in the Dominican Republic. I have really fond memories of him and the contributions he made. I always joked with him because he kept a book on Economics in the car and read it while the driver was taking him around to client appointments. He had a great personality and a wonderful sense of humor. Please stay in touch and know that he is well remembered.
Francia Baez ([email protected])

January 1, 2015

Michael Maher

I was deeply saddened to read of Robert's sudden and untimely death. He was a brilliant and compassionate leader who contributed greatly to the success of Citizens Financial Group. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work within his realm and to get to know him. He will be greatly missed.

December 30, 2014

Dear Catherine, my heart goes out to you and your family with love and prayers; he's watching over you, like Paul's been watching over me. Kathy Contey (your cousin Pauls wife)

December 30, 2014

Todd Wood

Very loss for your loss.

December 30, 2014

Louise Contey

Dear Cathy,
I am so sorry for your loss, I know no words can ease your broken heart. Know that I am thinking of you and praying for you.

December 23, 2014

Marjorie and Arthur Waxman

Nicole -- So sorry to hear about your Dad. We send you and your family our deepest condolences.

December 22, 2014

Matthew Smilo

Very sorry. I remember him in the high school band with my brother John.

December 22, 2014

Emilia Naccarato Roll

Dear Catherine, Nicole and Campbell -- I am deeply sorry and at a complete loss for words to express my sorrow and pain. Robert was terrific, in so many ways, and honorable and loving and kind. He was truly a special man -- father, husband, colleague, and citizen -- and our family will cherish the time he spent with us, and he will always be in our hearts. Emilia

December 22, 2014

very sorry for your loss god bless you all

December 21, 2014

Michael Flynn, Jr.

A remarkable man. Condolences.

December 21, 2014

Catherine, Nicole and Campbell
Words cannot express the deep sadness we have for your loss. We know all to well the incredible pain of a sudden void left in ones heart.
We wish you strength in the coming days, and pray that you will find comfort in all the wonderful memories you have in your hearts.
Please know we are here for you if you need anything.
Maureen, James & Colin Connolly

December 21, 2014

Dear Cathy, Nicole, Campbell and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. With heartfelt sympathy, Carol and Joe Baeli

December 21, 2014

Carlton Williams

Catherine, Nicole, Campbell and family, I am so sad for your loss. It was always so clear to everyone how he cherished you and also how he strived to make a real difference at work and the community. He was always so supportive of me and many others and I will miss him greatly. I will not forget our conversations about many different topics. He particularly took great joy in raising an eyebrow and laughingly disapproving of my Policy violations around office decor during the Bruins run to the Stanley Cup and the Red Sox World Series wins. My thoughts and prayers are with you and hope your great memories of him will sustain you through this tragic loss.

December 21, 2014

Jeff Lubatkin

Catherine, Nicole and Campbell,

I am so sorry for your loss. Robert was a great leader and a true gentleman. While his contributions to CFG were enormous and lasting, it is clear that his devotion to family and community were even larger.

Warmly,
Jeff Lubatkin

December 21, 2014

Pamela Bennett

My thoughts and prayers are with Catherine and her family at this time. May the memories of this wonderful man help you through the pain of this incredible loss.

December 20, 2014

yemti ndienla

Dear Catherine and family, I am sorry for your loss. Matthews, was such a great person, he will live on in our memories forever. "What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes part of us." -Helen Keller.

December 20, 2014

Donna and Chris

Dear Catherine, Nicole, Campbell and family. Please know you have our deepest condolences. Robert was a great person and a true friend. We will miss him and always remember his wit, sense of humor, and compassion. He made a real difference in the lives of many, and in ours; he will be missed.

With love and prayers,

December 20, 2014

Brendan Coughlin

Catherine & Family,
Our deepest condolences. Robert was a great man, personally and professionally. I'll forever cherish the advice he gave me, and the time we spent together. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Brendan & Courtney Coughlin

Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results

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Memorial Events
for Robert Matthews

Dec

21

Wake

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Boston Harborside Home of J.S. Waterman & Sons-Waring-Langone

580 Commercial Street, Boston, MA

Dec

22

Funeral service

10:00 a.m.

Old North Church

193 Salem Street, Boston, MA

Funeral services provided by:

J.S. Waterman Langone Chapel

580 Commercial Street, Boston, MA 02109

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