Raymond Matthew “Matt” Thurber

Raymond Matthew “Matt” Thurber

October 2, 1989 – May 8, 2018

Raymond (Matthew) Thurber, age 28, died unexpectedly on Tuesday morning, May 8, at his home in Omaha, NE. Matt was born October 2, 1989 to Raymond and Cathy (Behling) Thurber.  He married the love of his life, Lizz, on July 25, 2014 in Marquette, MI.  Their daughter, Sylvie Rae was born on May 20, 2017 and was the light of his life.  Matt had a lifelong passion for hockey that he pursued with the Omaha Lancers, Wisconsin Badgers, Northern Michigan Wildcats and professionally with the Bakersfield Condors. After retiring from hockey, he shared his love of the game through coaching youth hockey for the Omaha Junior Lancer program. Through all the years of hockey, he developed countless lifelong friendships, which he cherished every day.  Above all what Matt treasured most was his family.  He is preceded in death by his mother Cathy Thurber; grandparents Raymond J. Thurber, Gerald and Gloria Behling. He survived by his loving wife Elizabeth “Lizz” (Dineen) and daughter Sylvie Rae; father Raymond Thurber; sister Caitlyn (John) Backes and nephew Oscar; grandmothers Kathleen Thurber and Mary Anne Dworak; aunts Janice (Chuck) Sable, Mary Anne Thurber, Patti Thurber (Greg Lais); uncle John Thurber; in-laws Richard “Dick” and Eileen Dineen, Nick (Line), Bill, Cale and Mary Dineen; many other loving relatives and friends; and best buddy Rufus.

Visitation begins Friday, May 11, at 5pm with memorial service at 7pm at the mortuary. Mass: Saturday at 10am at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church (119 & Pacific St).  Interment will follow the service.  In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Sylvie Rae Thurber educational fund.

25 Comments

  • Jeff and Carol Wolfe Posted May 9, 2018 4:01 pm

    We are so deeply sorry for your loss, keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers

  • Jayden Hick Posted May 9, 2018 6:31 pm

    Rest in Peace Big Brother

  • Andi Johnson Posted May 9, 2018 6:41 pm

    Ray, Lizz and Sylvia my heart is with you all. Prayers for the strength and love to you. Matt was a very unique young man and it was a privilege to watch him grown in to the man we all love and will miss. Thanks for sharing him with us all. My deepest sympathies. Love Andi Johnson

  • Robyn Shuda Posted May 9, 2018 6:58 pm

    Matt was a very special young man and we loved watching him play hockey. Our deepest sympathies.

  • Donna Koesters Posted May 9, 2018 7:10 pm

    Remember when played for the lancers. It was a blast to watch. My grandson got pucks from Matt. Thoughts and prayers to family and all his friends. Once a lancers always a lancers. You will be greatly missed. LOL. RIP.

  • Burt and Anita Finch Posted May 9, 2018 7:22 pm

    Matt and Lizz you are the best neighbors ever. We will miss Matt and grieve for your loss.

  • Jennifer Yester Posted May 9, 2018 8:32 pm

    So very sorry for your loss, God Bless his family.

  • Tom, Cait, Greer, & Maeve St. George Posted May 9, 2018 8:49 pm

    Our hearts are with all of you. If you need us we are always here for you.

  • Joey, Katie, Ellie & C.J. Liekweg Posted May 9, 2018 8:52 pm

    Lizz, Sylvia, your families and friends our heart felt and deepest condolences go out to you all on hearing of Matt’s passing. I only got the opportunity to know Matt for a couple of years but will always remember him and his ability to make people smile. He once told me, while playing golf ironically, that a good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be. ( Wayne Gretzky gets credit for that one Matt). The puck is now in heaven my man and I know your playing it well. You will be forever missed.

    Your pals,

    The Liekwegs

  • Jean Behling Posted May 9, 2018 8:59 pm

    I don’t know if there is a right thing to say at times like this, but what I do know is Matt was a special man loved by so many people. Ray, Lizz, Sylvie & Caitlyn … May God give you strength to get through this difficult time. Know that Cathy is waiting to welcome him with open arms, and together they will be in your hearts forever.

    Jean Behling

  • Shannon Rice Posted May 9, 2018 9:12 pm

    Thinking of you at this time. Matt was a special person that touched so many lives. He was loved by anyone that knew him and will be missed by all of us. He was the best of the best. Hugs to all of you. Shannon Rice

  • Shannon Rice Posted May 9, 2018 9:15 pm

    Thinking of you at this time. Matt was a special person. He was loved by everyone that knew him. He will be missed by all of us that knew and loved him. Matt touched so many in such a short time. Hugs to all. Shannon Rice

  • Donnie Hick Posted May 9, 2018 9:49 pm

    Rest in paradise matt

  • Theresa Johnson Posted May 10, 2018 7:26 am

    I met Matt and Lizz through my son, while he worked at TekSystems. Matt was a wonderful kid and fun to be around. My heart is breaking for Lizz, Sylvie and Ray and the rest of Matt’s family. I wish I had the words to comfort you right now but know you all are in my thoughts and prayers. Matt will be missed by all who came in contact with him.

  • Wayne Brown Posted May 10, 2018 7:43 am

    So very sad to hear about Matt”s passing. Your family has certainly been thru a lot

  • Bernice Howard Posted May 10, 2018 9:39 am

    So sorry for your family’s loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this very difficult time. RIP Matt

  • Donna Hick Posted May 10, 2018 9:42 am

    Thank you for sharing Matt with us. I remember when Matt gave Jayden his first stick blade when he was only 4 years old. Then when Jayden has his 5th birthday party he had Matt’s picture on his cake and shared his cake with the team after the game. Matt was a big brother for Jayden through the last 12 years. Jayden has so many wonderful memories and utube videos of Matt and a picture of the two of them together at a game a month ago. Our hearts are sad for your loss. We are truly praying for the family. Matt was a special man and a great role model for my son. He will be greatly missed.

  • Felecia Flack Posted May 10, 2018 3:00 pm

    Dear Thurber Family,
    Please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of Matt. We were lucky enough to meet him while he was a student at Northern Michigan University. He was a one of a kind, genuinely nice person with a great sense of humor. We know he had many friends, but he always took time to send a text to keep in touch. We will all miss him greatly.
    Sincerely,
    The Flack Family

  • Joseph Hamilton Posted May 10, 2018 4:48 pm

    Prayers and thoughts with family and friends. #10

  • Steve Mussey Family Posted May 11, 2018 6:49 am

    Ray, our hearts go out to you and Matt’s young family. We want you to know that we are with you in thought and wish you comfort and peace.

  • Shannon Posted May 11, 2018 7:47 am

    Praying for Matt’s family during this difficult time. I had the pleasure of warltching Matt on the ice in Bako and man was he awesome! I can not even begin to imagine what you all are going through but please know that Bakersfield Ca is praying for the Thurber family!

  • Christina Bakewell Posted May 11, 2018 9:16 am

    Matt was passionate, generous and always in a mindset of possibility. We worked together for a short time at Lululemon and I know he cherished every moment of every day. Sending peace to his family now and always.

  • Steve McGlade Posted May 12, 2018 3:15 am

    Matt was an inspiration. He scored a “hat-trick” in life with the love of work, family and fun. With my deepest sympathy and respect, I throw my hat onto the rink for Matt; he was a man that made us all better. I send my heartfelt condolences to Lizz and the families of both Matt and Lizz. Matt will be missed but his spirit will shine in Lizz and his daughter Sylvie Rae. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

  • Tim Davies Family Posted May 12, 2018 8:42 am

    Ray, our thoughts are with you and your family. Sending our prayer and love to you.

  • Jeff Brown and Family Posted May 13, 2018 7:21 am

    Ray, our condolences to you and Matt’s family. Glad Matt was apart of our family of fun during the Madison Capitols era. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and his family.

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