William M. Matt Eggleston

SOUTH PORTLAND - William M. "Matt" Eggleston, 46, of Bennett Street, died Friday, June 17, 2011 at Maine Medical Center. Matt was born in Washington, DC on January 3, 1965 the son of William Irvin and Laurie Chizanskos Eggleston. He graduated from Williamsburg Jr/Sr. High School in 1983. He furthered his education first at Juniata College and then Penn State University as a Communications Major. While at Penn State, Matt played football on the 1986 National Championship Winning team. On August 11, 1990 he married Karen Sue Damico in Williamsburg, PA. In 1994 Matt and Karen moved to Maine with their nearly four-year-old daughter, Paige. He owned and operated, along with his brother, the Fairbanks, Frost Lowe Fine Jewelers and Goldsmiths in Freeport--a business which they ran for fifteen years. He then went to work in Topsham for the Lee Auto Dealers where he became one of the top sellers in the company. His secret to good business was a simple one. He was a man who built relationships with his customers, not a simple rapport to yield a check. The real profit he found was measured in the number of friendships he built. Notably thought of as a "gentle giant", he left that title at the door when it came to the court and field. Matt was an avid sports fan of basketball and football. He loved watching his daughter compete as an athlete. He was a member of the Scarborough Fish Game Association and enjoyed shooting at the range and he loved hunting. He was a longtime member and two-time Past Grand Master of the Freeport Order of Free Masons Lodge #23AF/AM. He loved music and was a former radio DJ along with doing many college events and weddings. He was a real handyman and enjoyed finding and creating innovative solutions. Dedicated and reliable, he always had a Leatherman Tool or a flashlight to tidy a frayed edge or make way through the dark. He was a great cook and master of the Barbeque Grill, steak being his favorite and specialty dish, according to his family. His daughter Paige commented that "he was the most articulate and well-spoken individual, always able to offer the right words." He never failed to light up a room, whether by means of shameless dance moves, a well-timed corny joke, or a quiet and honest smile. Matt is survived by his mother Laurie of Ocala, FL and his father William of Salisbury, MD, his wife of twenty years Karen of South Portland, one daughter Paige E. Eggleston of South Portland, a brother Jason W. and his wife Terri Eggleston of Topsham, nieces and nephews Alicia, Rachel, Mindy, Allison, Patrick, Ryan and Jack. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, July 8, 2011 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 9:15am on July 9, 2011 followed by a 10:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 1342 Congress Street, Portland. Burial will be private. Those who wish may make contributions in Matt's memory to a scholarship in his name care of Catherine McAuley High School, 631 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME 04103. Online Condolences for William Eggleston