This Bergen artist died homeless. Friends and family recalled his amazing skills

The last time the Rev. Christopher Keenan saw his nephew Matthew conscious, they were touring a couple of potential homes. They were searching for a room where Matthew could use his housing voucher and finally move off the streets of Hackensack after experiencing bouts of homelessness for more than six years.

Weeks later, Matthew Keenan died, on July 27, 2023, after suffering a seizure and hitting his head. He was 44.

Father Christopher led Matthew’s memorial service at Christ the King Cemetery in Franklin Lakes on Saturday for more than 40 family members and friends and his caseworker under a large white gazebo. It was a sunny day that felt like summer, if not for the vibrant orange, yellow and red foliage bordering the vast green grounds.

“I don’t think when we saw him when he was born, growing up, that we thought things would work out this way,” said his brother James Keenan, who traveled up from North Carolina for the service. “But as you know, Matthew could at times be frustrating — and these are for things other than his inexplicable lifelong love and devotion for the Dallas Cowboys.”

'Scary how easy it is to become homeless'

Matthew Keenan was nearly two decades younger than his three brothers, James, Michael and Thomas. He was born in the kitchen of his East Rutherford home — a story Matthew loved to tell — 10 minutes after his mother went into labor on Nov. 24, 1978.

More: Code Blue helps NJ homeless when temps drop, but some still get left out in the cold

More: When pals of a Bergen artist heard he was homeless, they rushed to help. Then time ran out

He graduated from Paramus Catholic High School in 1996 and attended Montclair State University, though did not earn enough credits to graduate. He took care of his parents until they both died — his mother in 2002 and his father in 2006 — and worked a series of short-term jobs.

He was a talented cartoonist, and his designs cover the walls of Karol’s Pub in Wallington.

But his growing use of alcohol started to affect his relationships, and after he and his girlfriend broke up, he was kicked out of his next apartment, he said — after a day.

“It’s scary how easy it is to become homeless,” Matthew told NorthJersey.com in December.

“I look around and I see people who cared for him — to be blunt, beyond what was rational,” said his brother Michael, who drove from Basking Ridge each month to visit Matthew, check on him and share a meal. “It could be hard sometimes. There's a degree of stubbornness that might be genetic.”

After learning that Matthew was experiencing homelessness through reading an article in The Record, Evan Glover drove up and down the streets of Hackensack until he found his childhood friend. He invited Matthew over for meals, showers and laundry sessions, and helped work with his caseworkers to assemble the documents Matthew needed to secure government assistance.

“The last six months were not easy, but I’m not going to lie, with Evan and his family in the mix, it was impressive what they were able to get out of him. More than I ever could — it’s not even close,” Michael said.

With Glover’s help, Matthew was about to sign a lease for a rooming house in Hackensack — the closest he had been to landing a safe place to live for years. In the past, he missed doctor’s visits or crucial appointments he needed to attend to make his way through the maze of bureaucracy. But now the support system was making a difference.

'Do everything with love'

During Saturday's memorial service, Father Christopher asked the mourners to shout out words that characterized Matthew, characteristics that they treasured from his life.

“Creative,” one person said.

“Lover of music,” said another.

“His life was difficult, but he taught me to do everything with love,” said another.

“He was the best person in the world to watch a football game with,” said his brother Thomas, his left hand resting on the rectangular wooden urn that held Matthew’s ashes. “He loved pop culture.”

The funeral goers walked across the grass and Resurrection Way to the plot where Matthew was to be buried, next to his mother and father, Rosemary Hayes and James Keenan. Their stone plaque is etched with the words “Forever in our hearts.”

Father Christopher recited a final reading from the prophet Isaiah, one he gave at Matthew’s bedside while he was in the hospital on a ventilator for a week before he died.

“The Lord who created you says: 'Do not be afraid, I will save you … When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you and your troubles will not be able to overcome. Even if you walk through fire, you will not be burned. Even though you endure hard trials, they will not be victorious over you.”

A 'child prodigy' with the violin, a sketchbook of ink drawings

After the ceremony, family and friends gathered for a meal at the nursing home where Father Christopher lives, next to St. Anthony Friary in Butler. Matthew's sketchbook was set out so attendees could view his ink drawings of cartoon people, animals, trees.

An aunt remembered Matthew as a “child prodigy” with the violin. He once performed at Carnegie Hall, she said.

Jamie Ingram met Matthew when she worked at Rite Aid in 2016, and they dated for about two years. She remembers coming home after a bad day to discover that Matthew had drawn her a bunch of cute sketches of the Minions to cheer her up.

Dozens of photos from his childhood were displayed on three poster boards: Matthew reaching to place a topper on a Christmas tree. Matthew holding a birthday cake, his mouth wide open with excitement. Matthew as a toddler, sitting in a wooden chair with an open book in his hands.

On blue construction paper was a drawing from the young son of Evan Glover’s girlfriend, whose name is also Evan. He had traced two hands and written the words, “Uncle Matt, I love you, Love Evan.”

Also showcased was a letter from the New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network.

Matthew was an organ donor. His left kidney was given to a 49-year-old man, and his right kidney to a 72-year-old woman, the letter said. “Matthew was able to leave a lasting legacy of love through the decision to give life to others,” it read.

“This shows we all have potential, we all have a purpose in life,” said Elvia Asencio, Matthew’s case manager at Transition Professionals in Hackensack.

“He was polite. Even when I wouldn’t have good news for him, he would say, ‘Thank you for trying.’" Asencio recalled. "He was a great, polite, excellent person.”

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: This Bergen artist died homeless. His family recalled his skill