Matthew J. Sprague

Matthew J. Sprague

February 06, 1990 - May 10, 2012

Matthew J. Sprague

February 06, 1990 - May 10, 2012

Obituary

Matthew Joseph Sprague
February, 6 1990 May 10, 2012

Matthew is survived by his mother Paula Mugavero, step father Dave Mugavero, and step brother Chad Mugavero, father Brian Sprague, step mother Janice Sprague, brother Michael Sprague, and sister Georgia Sprague, grandparents Dolores and Roland LaRue, grandmother Ann Sprague, and grandparents Lou and Don Gibbs. He is a beloved son, brother, and grandson to his family, and dear friend to many.

Matthew was a very loving person with a huge heart who had a positive effect on his family and friends. He was always willing to help someone in need if he could. He loved the outdoors, the mountains, and the oceans. He was a free spirit. He had many aspirations of what he wanted to do with his life including making music or entering the medical field, but left us at too young an age to succeed in these.

A Vigil Service will be held for Matthew on Wednesday May 16th, from 7-9:00PM at O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills. A Funeral Mass will be held for him on May 17th at 11:00AM at St Thomas More Catholic Church in Irvine.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Matthews honor to First Step House of Orange County, a non-profit organization here in Orange County and an establishment that had helped Matthew in the past.

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55 responses to Matthew J. Sprague

  1. I’m soooooo sorry Janice….PEACE BE WITH YOU…:-)

  2. Second half of the eulogy… (first half is below, it wouldn’t all fit!)

    At 15 and a freshman in high school, Matt started to experiment with drugs. Unfortunately he had the wrong genes for such an experiment, especially at such a young age, as addiction disease did run in both sides of his family. At first it was to party and to get a high. It was for fun. This began his struggle, as I watched the years pass while the grips of the disease dug deeper and deeper into him. Many asked me over the years, some of you are here now, “what drug did he get addicted to?” It was not like that. It wasn’t a drug that he took that made him physically addicted. Matt had addiction disease and would use many or any available drugs. This disease created a survival need in him to alter his natural state of mind to achieve an unreachable feeling. A vicious cycle developed where the more he used, the more he needed, the more his despair and self loathing grew, the deeper and further away he sank, and – the more he used. Countless times we tried to stop the spiral, and turn him in a different direction. Strategy after strategy, was tried, locally and in different parts of the country to change his environment as well as curtail this vicious cycle. We all missed him badly. He was too young to understand the lethal consequences of his problem, and when he did start to understand at a later age, he struggled to break free.

    I saw throughout these years the conflict in him between his deep unconditional love and trust for me, and love of his family, and his inability to free himself of this disease. He was not a bad person because he was an addict. He didn’t choose this. He was sick, not unlike someone with cancer. He suffered with this and accumulated a lot of wear and tear over the last couple of years. It seemed to be taking its toll. We admitted him to what I’d consider one of the best rehabs, Cornerstone, just a few weeks ago. He struggled, but he was doing well. Matt passed away in his sleep on May 10th, sober. No one knows why he died. Even with his past, it is not normal for someone at his age to suffer this outcome. This has been discussed a lot and with many in the last week. The only explanation seems to be – God wanted him. Possibly this was an act of compassion. All his family, mothers Paula his mom and Janice his stepmom, and fathers, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends are very sad to lose him, but we have some peace in the fact that his suffering and struggle has ended. He is in a better place.

    I do not want to remember Matt for his struggle, but for how much he loved me and his family – when he could; I remember his love of the outdoors and the wonderful times we had together – on the ocean, in the dessert, or in the mountains; I remember his wonderful personality, his charisma, his sense of humor and infectious laugh which brought many smiles to many people while he was with us. I can say with no uncertainty that he gave me many more smiles and laughs in his life than tears. Till the very end I watched him care for and try to help others even though he could not do the same for himself. He is greatly loved, and greatly missed. God Bless You Matt. We love you. Thank you.

  3. Lit a candle in memory of Matthew J. Sprague

  4. Lit a candle in memory of Matthew J. Sprague

  5. Paula my dear old friend, I am so sad to hear of your loss, what a handsome young man Matthew was…. God Bless to you and your family, and I hope you can get through this with alot of love and support from all. Hugs N Kisses kiddo!!!!!!

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