Matthew Anthony Katauskas

Matthew Anthony Katauskas, age 39, of Orlando, Florida passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at Advent Health Hospital East Orlando. He was the loving son of Paul and Jan Katauskas.

Matthew was born on August 12, 1979 in Orlando, FL. Matthew attended the University of South Florida for two years of undergraduate work. He was then employed as manager of Chamberlains Foods at Winter Park village and then at Radio Shack. Most recently, he shared the lawn maintenance business of J & P Lawn Service of Central Florida with his dad. (J&P, Jason and Paul).

Matthew was so very intelligent, so tender hearted and courteous, and respectful to everyone; regardless of race, religion, or color. He was on the quiz team at First Alliance Church, he went on youth bike trips, and spent his growing up years with his best friend, Johnny Patrick. The two would swim across local alligator infested lakes jumping from the Ivanhoe Bridge, skydiving, and hunting gators at night. They also loved the beach, fishing with his dad, swimming and he especially was enamored with sharks and the study of sharks. Matthew was an expert on shark behaviors, habitats, and shark attacks. He really loved sharks and wanted to major in marine biology, but his studies were cut short by amalignant tumor he got during his summer after sophomore year. He liked to tell people that the resulting scars were from a shark attack.

Matthew read all the time and studied his Bible regularly while attending First Baptist Orlando. He loved the Discovery Channel, nature shows and animal shows; he could answer all questions his mom would ask.

Matt ran varsity cross country, and played varsity tennis at Boone H.S. in Orlando, FL. His dad was his cross country coach and Nelson Browning coached him in tennis for four years. He also competed in swimming, and played basketball and soccer; following his Dad and Uncle Peter's love for all sports. He often played these with the youth group and others at church on Sunday nights.

He loved his brothers Michael, Jason, and especially his dad; they were very close. Mom became his best friend, and he fiercely protected her. He loved Gayle Stanley, Dan and her two sons, and spent nights playing Risk. He loved playing Nintendo games with Michael, and many a times played all night, especially The Legend of Zelda games. But his greatest love was tennis, which he picked back up as an adult. He loved his tennis group at Northland who play at Red Bug Park every Saturday from 8 to 11. He was one of the best players on the court, just ask Jeff Packard.

Thanks to his dad and granddad, he had mastered chess, and by an early age could regularly beat his dad in chess. His memory skills were phenomenal. Beating his dad in the memory game by age 5. His best friends at youth group were Kevin O'Farrell, Matt Bowser, and Johhny Patrick, Michelle and Mellissa Whited and his cousins Eric, Brian and Julie. They all spent summers swimming, waterskiing, and playing games at his Uncle Peter's and Aunt Connie's beautiful Lake home. Barbeques on the grill always followed.

He loved going to Alabama and visiting his cousins from mom's side of the family and going to Panama City to Uncle Bud's and Aunt Linda's. He loved his Aunt Flossie and Aunt Della, and especially Chassie and Tracy, his cousins from Alabama.

He was saved at an early age and loved and served Jesus, always caring about others before himself. He believed in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, prayed and studied his Bible daily, and is Glory and worshiping his savior in Heaven today.

Besides his parents, Paul and Jan Katauskas; Matthew is survived by his son, Oliver Liam Katauskas; and his brother, Michael Paul Katauskas.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Jason Katauskas.

Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at 5:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home – East Orlando Chapel, 895 S. Goldenrod Rd, Orlando, FL 32822 with Pastors Peter and Brian Katauskas officiating.

Visitation with the family will precede the service on Wednesday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the funeral home.

To share your memories of Matthew or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.