Family and friends
This page was created to help bring together and collate precious memories in a single place online.
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Join MemoriesMr. Matthews was a kind hearted man who truly cared about people. I will never forget him or the interest he took in the well-being of all of his students. One hopes their fourth grade teacher would live forever.
Jeff Cruikshank Todd was such a joy to be around. Truly a warm, kind, and generous spirit. Todd came into my life in the early 90s, when I was a young teenager and found an incredible mentor in Mike. Over the years we would have hours long phone conversations, occasionally bridging in other mentees of Mike/Todd. It felt exciting to be involved in their early Internet projects, namely eMall, and I'll treasure those memories forever. It wasn't until I was 16 (I think), when my Mom and I made the trek from San Jose to NYC for the first time. Mike and Todd were amazing tour guides, showing us behind the scenes at NBC and just generally giving us VIP treatment. Over the years, I visited with Todd several more times, though never for long enough. Most recently my family and I stopped through L.A. around 3 years ago, and met up with Todd. It was great seeing him, and I was happy to have an opportunity for my children to meet someone who was an important part of my adolescence. Rest in peace, Todd. (Photo was taken on a visit by Mike and Todd to San Jose on Valentine's, 2010)
Barbara Buxbaum Roaring Brook graduation 2013. Maya loved being in Todd’s 4th grade class and he loved Maya. He was a sweet soul and a gift to teaching. RIP Todd.
Kamaren Suwijn
Diane Nerem Wendel Roaring Brook School 2008-2015
Megan Klein Mr. Matthews was just one of those teachers that everybody knew, loved and wanted to have. He was my fourth grade teacher in 2009-2010 and when I heard of his passing, I got my entire class to contribute to a collection of our favorite memories. It was so incredible speaking to my old classmates and speaking of old times that we shared in his classroom. Click the link below to read our favorite memories about such an influential, kind and loving man. Rest in Peace to the unforgettable Mr. Matthews. Love, Megan https://www.operationhappinessblog.com/no-lifeguard-on-duty/2020/6/1/a-tribute-to-the-greatest-fourth-grade-teacher-mr-matthews
Todd and I talked cooking and the Hudson River many times. When my family went to Italy I brought him some oil I found in a beautiful bottle in Sorrento that I Knew he would love. A while back I introduced him to a Netflix show called Salt Fat Acid Heat and this was his response “ What I love about the title is that when I was trained in French Cul...
Mr. Matthews, my best memories from my time as a student in Chappaqua Schools were in your classroom. It is where I met my best friend to this day, harnessed confidence in myself and my academic abilities, and knew everyday I would laugh. I remember waiting eagerly since kindergarten just to see if I had a chance to have you as a teacher in fourth ...
Mike Schreibman
Rita Santelia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChcR2gKt5WM You loved this duet and was so happy to share it with me. I will miss you and keep my special memories of you always tucked in my heart ❤️
Kathryn Mamorsky You: Eeyore. Me: Dory Together: We walked, talked, laughed, cried, danced, hugged. But not enough. Gone too soon, my friend. Too soon. I will always hold your light within.🙏🏼
You were my first teacher after after starting school in Chappaqua. I remember being so nervous starting school in a new place where I didn't know anyone, but your classroom was such a warm and comforting environment. I have so many great memories of that year that I will carry with me throughout my life. Rest In Peace -Zander
Dearest Todd, we laughed, chatted and worked to make sure our kids loved to learn. My friend, you always hugged me in June. You loved your students, teachers and friends. You were a gift to me, us. I will always think of you and smile. RIP my friend. ❤️ Jo-Ann
Todd was one of the best of my Roaring Brook Family. I can’t remember when he wasn’t smiling. His visits to the teacher aide room were a highlight of the day. Rest In Peace Todd.🙏
Definitely one of the best teaches I’ve ever had. I’ve never met someone so good at turning work fun. One time he tricked us by saying that we’d spend the day of Halloween taking a practice state test, insted he prepared a surprise party for us where we watched a movie and each got a bag of popcorn. It’s funny how this is the first thing I think wh...
Mr. Matthews told my son Jackson if he was a good boy all day he could do five minutes of shtick right before the end of class. Once in a while Jackson earned the opportunity to perform. Todd was so good at knowing how to deal with each individual student. We became friends and he will be missed by many.
Mr. Matthews was constantly promoting our creativity and making the class laugh. Every week he had a Taco Tuesday dance and on immigration day, randomly cured people of trachoma so they could come into the country. He was genuinely one of the kindest souls you could ever meet.
Lisa Mills Todd and I taught 4th grade together for an all too short time. He posted this sign in the front of his classroom every year, every day, for all to see, and remember. This sign feels the essence of him. It truly captures the manner in which he lived his life. He lived with passion and compassion. The world can see that he lived this simple lesson for life and people near him will forever be affected by his kind hearted nature. I love thinking back to memories of our many lunches together in the faculty room... Todd filling the room with energy and laughter. He laughed - we laughed. The time went by so rapidly. Would love another moment make sure you know how you matter so much to me, and that my life is forever bettered because of you. xoxo
Todd...you always walked into a room with a smile on your face. Your laugh was contagious & you made me laugh all the time! You made everyone in your company feel welcome and special. You told me I looked good in black, and I’ve been wearing it since that day. Some of my favorite memories of RBS are with you. We’d always whisper something sarcasti...
Jennifer Greco Todd was such a wonderful person. I had the pleasure of working with him at RBS. It was about a year ago I was gathering photos of someone retiring at RBS. I had to make copies of all her classes. It was just around then that Todd had posted something about RBS. I reached out to him and told him what I was doing and that I could send him all his class pictures. He was so grateful. So I copied the class photos for him and mailed them off . A few weeks later I received the most caring note from him. He couldn’t thank me enough . He had also thanked me on Facebook which was more than enough, but not to Todd, it was his kindness to send me a personal note. I will share a photo of our Facebook conversation. And again, you would think I drove them to California the way he thanked me and how much they meant to him. He will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace Todd. 🙏
It was such a joy working with Todd in his classroom. I learned so much from him. We laughed talked and became quick friends. His friendship was a gift that I will cherish. I hope you knew how much you were loved, dear Todd ❤️
Rosalie Kissmann Todd and I shared a love of the Hudson River, espresso, and everything Italian. I hope you are at peace now, my friend. You were desperately searching for peace your entire life and deserve it.
Adam Sharp Sunday, June 7, 2020 4p ET / 1p PT https://zoom.us/j/93835818726 Password: 053094
Todd, each day when I walked into your classroom, you greeted me with the biggest smile and “Buon Giorno”. You always took a few moments to share a nice story or a new recipe. We often practiced our Italian language skills together. I cherish those memories. It was an honor to know you my friend. You’ll always be in my heart.
Doreen Calandrella My dear friend... It's the special people we meet along the life's road.... You are definitely one of those people. We became dear friends, over the years, and I will miss your smile the most. You were an amazing teacher, and an even better friend. We started together in Chappaqua so many years ago.....Over time, sharing recipes in the kitchen, to speaking Italian, co-teaching, laughing and crying, talking for hours all night, even when you moved to Cali. You will always hold a special place in my heart. "Sei Amato" and God Bless you. Doreen Calandrella
It broke my heart when I heard about Todd’s passing. I had the distinct pleasure of working along side Todd. He was special to me to say the least, he was kind, funny, empathetic, and a true friend. His kindness extended far beyond the classroom for me and my husband. He was the guy who would tell the owner of a restaurant that “he was picking ...
While neither one of my girls had Mr Matthews in the 4 th grade...(they had the lovely Mrs Chousa), we reminisced about how their two classes would collaborate and how fun that was with Mr. Matthews. He was an icon at RBS. Everyone knew him, students, parents ect. He was always warm and talkative and I have the fondest memories of him in those ha...
I met Todd many years ago, when I was teaching in Ossining, and Todd taught in Chappaqua. We had mutual friend, that was a colleague of mine. I have memories of Todd sharing some amazing food and recipes, stories of his love for his students, and his kindness and generosity to those who came in contact with him. I will miss him dearly.
Chloe Heintz Todd and Mike took me under their wing when I was figuring out how to grow from a scrappy, lost kid into some kind of grown up. Todd's heart was so big, he felt everything. We lost touch in recent years but he always made sure to reach out and say happy birthday or mark a celebration - as recently as this April. So many memories came up with this news. I'm sharing photos from his and Mike's wedding ... a beautiful affair and of course the menu was the most divine. I have to update to share that I make this recipe of his regularly - he taught me how to at least not embarrass myself in the kitchen - and inspired my love of Press and Seal wrap. http://westchestereats.com/?p=36
I was blessed to know Todd both as a colleague and as the parent of children who had him as a teacher. Todd was an amazing educator who did what was best for his students, rather than just sticking to what was written in the curriculum script. He thought outside the box to create engaging learning experiences that made the curriculum accessible to...
Mr. Matthews was one of the best teachers I had at RBS and certainly one I will never forget. I have some wonderful memories of being in his class such as: getting wrapped in “a big hug” on my birthday, lining up for “taco tuesday” and his nicknaming me “jazzy pops”(a nickname that I am still called today). He really made every student feel specia...
Mr. Matthews was my favorite teacher from Roaring Brook. I was in his fourth grade class in 2004. I remember him as being kind, patient and joyful. When I choked on a piece of candy in class he actually gave me the heimlich maneuver and saved me! I also went through a period of time when I refused to go to school, and I remember him sitting down wi...
Todd and I chatted many times late at night. I always chuckled because he would ask me to bring him a Shamrock. He was a great guy. I will miss him very much.
diane harper Todd always had a big smile and would light up a room. He loved laughter, and maintained his sense of humor throughout his life. He will be greatly missed.
Kristen Browde Both my sons had the good fortune to have spent fourth grade in Todd's classroom - a remarkable "small world" occurrence - I had worked with Todd and Mike at WNBC many years earlier, and had no idea that he'd left broadcasting and gone into teaching. He was a wonderful colleague, but as a teacher he was truly amazing. Both my sons thrived and grew under his guidance, and this photo, of the annual field trip to West Point, was one of the highlights. Todd was a lovely, warm and talented giant in the field of teaching, and a wonderful, sweet man. It's truly sad that he has left us so soon.
When I think of Todd I smile. I remember waking up in West Hollywood to his smiling face and bright energy. Todd was so supportive throughout my own recovery process. He gave me a beautiful "God Box" and encouraged me always. I moved to Mexico but we stayed connected and spoke recently. He always made my day. Todd, I love and miss you.
I loved Todd. I got to share today , a memorial with others who loved him on Zoom today. It was an honor and I'm moved by it. I am tearing up at every share. Rest in Peace our Friend Todd.
We are sincerely sorry to hear of Todd's passing. When a person receives a special gift that makes a very special impression on the person or persons who receive it, that gift becomes a memorial that creates a lasting memory of the person who gave it. Todd gave us a very special gift that we cherish; a book that he created depicting my Italian im...
David Feldman This family photo was from our son Josh's Bar Mitzvah. My parents Miriam & Abraham Schreibman adored Todd. They enjoyed spending time with him, attending events with Todd (and Michael) and they used to brag to people about what a great son-in-law and teacher he was. They admired and took pride in his accomplishments and cooking skills (as we all did) and really loved him. Todd was a wonderful brother-in-law and uncle to my children Joshua, Zachary and Benjamin. He was delightful to be around and my husband David & I were so glad to have him at birthday celebrations, family events and holiday dinners. Not only because he helped, and brought dishes that were much better than anything I ever cooked but because he was a very special person, charming and caring and fun to be with. Even after he moved to California we stayed in touch and Todd reached out to me on every holiday and birthday. We knew he still loved us and I let him know that we loved him and that he will always be a member of our family. A week before he passed Todd sent me a remembrance of my father on what would have been Dad's 99th birthday. He included a wonderful photo of my parents and some kind words about my Dad. Rest in Peace Todd, you are loved and missed. Barbara Schreibman Todd had a gift of brightening the air around him, and relaxing the tightness of any tense situation. I miss him. David Feldman
Barbara Cofer Todd loved deeply and had a sweet spirit his smile and laugh made me feel joy. He will be missed.
Jennifer Venter Every time I cook I think of Todd as he taught me how to make wonderful dishes. He was patient enough to show me how to properly chop an onion, measure ingredients, and prep for a recipe. I am grateful for all the times he took to show me as I would not be able to boil an egg to this day without him. He was funny, creative, and told the best stories which made hanging out in the kitchen so great. I really miss those times and the days sitting in our backyards in Croton grilling out and planning the next meal.
Doug Chapman Fly away, little bird <3
Hello, My name is Kellie Bostwick. I am honored to have known Todd, through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous and the Zoom platform. I came into the AA meetings on Zoom a year and a half ago and Todd was one of the first people I met and got to know. Todd was warm, welcoming, and held no judgements against any persons he met in the rooms. He wa...
Todd would always say 'Todd Loves Steve' and I would always respond 'Steve Loves Todd'. Rest in peace my dear friend.
Todd and I worked together in high school. We became great friends and remained friends through the years .My youngest daughter became a nanny and moved to New Jersey for a year and Todd was the first person I contacted to ask questions and to be her person of contact in case of emergency. He had a heart of gold and was proud of his heritage as wel...
Beautiful tribute to you today. You were so loved in life and the legacy you have left will live on. Grateful to have known you. One favorite memory is when you would do the Peanuts dance when you picked up your class at the library. Wish I had the opportunity to know you better. Peace be yours forever.🙏❣️
Catherine aka Braveheart Dearest Todd, When I think of you I will always remember your beautiful, kind and gentle spirit. And will also think of you whenever I see a hummingbird! You were very special to so many of us! Sending you an ethereal hug! Thank you for being a part of my life!
I had known Todd for only a year but he is easily one of my best friends. We've spent much time on zoom either working together to help others and many late nights till early mornings talking to each other about our lives and how glad we were brought together in fellowship and friendship. One of the fondest memories I have with him is when we were ...