Matthew Abbate of Honolulu, Hawaii was born September 10, 1984 in San Francisco, CA. He attended Buchanan High School in Clovis, CA and graduated in 2002 from Sierra Charter High School in Fresno, CA.
His love of life "exceeded the tolerance of others, including parents and teachers." Eric Busse, friend.
"Matt easily sparked all of us with lots of energy and charisma that would sweeten anyone's heart that knew him." Susan Rosendo, friend.
He was "like a brother and a great friend to me. We hold great memories of you in our hearts." Stacey, friend.
“But I think he’d be glad he died instead of someone else. That’s why he did what he did, so someone else didn’t have to.” Valerie Binion, sister.
He had always wanted to be a Marine, stating his intentions at his HS graduation and had played "Rambo" and GI Joe as a child.
"He was a great leader and will be missed." Cpl Shipton Christopher, Marine.
He enlisted in the Marines on February 1, 2006. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA and Sangin, Helmand, Afghanistan. It was his 3rd Combat Deployment.
“He loved being a [Marine]. He was good at it. Confident about it.” Lisa Boyles, friend.
"It was an honor to fight by his side. He was protective, confident and fearless. And he had that smile that could make everyone happy." Royce Hughie, Marine.
His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marines Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
"It was an honor to fight by his side. He was protective, confident and fearless. And he had that smile that could make everyone happy." Royce Hughie, Marine.
He is survived by wife Stacie Rigall, son Clovis, mother Karen Binion and husband James, father Sal Abbate and wife, and sisters Dominica Abbate, Valerie Binion and Kelly Binion, and brother Elliot Abbate.
He was remembered at Fresno's Peoples Church and laid to rest on December 11, 2010