Matthew “Matt” C. Saxe Remembered: Orchard Park Community Honors a Life of Family, Friendship, and Adventure
Beloved father, athlete, and friend is celebrated for his passion for life, deep family ties, and lasting impact on everyone who knew him.
ORCHARD PARK - Matthew C. Saxe passed away unexpectedly at the age of 50. He is survived by his two children, Ryan and Bailey Saxe; his sisters, Kaitlyn (Dan) Caterinicchia and Meagan Saxe; his parents, Kathleen (nee McMullen) and Gerald Saxe; his ex-wife, Molly Saxe; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Matt consumed life with passion and curiosity, always seeking new experiences and adventures. He loved skiing, traveling, golfing, music, professional and college sports, good food and drink, and spending time with family and friends. He was quick to joke, to sing, and even engage in the occasional dance contest.
Matt played many roles: loyal friend, trusted partner, insightful colleague, fun uncle, caring son, and playful big brother. But he truly shined as the father to Ryan and Bailey. He instilled in each of them distinct lessons and traits, but they all share a love of Buffalo and spending time in Ellicottville. Matthew and Ryan together at a Bills or Sabres game was a sight to behold, and a good thing the referees could not hear what they were saying. Matthew and Bailey on the slopes was, simply put, a dad and his daughter enjoying their favorite shared experience.
Matt has more friends than there are days in the year because he made friends easily. On the mountain, waiting for a table at a restaurant, sitting nearby at a Bills game, to know Matt was, at a minimum to engage in a great conversation, and at its best was to make a friend for life. There was an ease in his smirk, smile, and laugh, which usually elicited the same response from whomever was lucky enough to be in his circle at that moment.
As an athlete, he excelled on the slopes, on the golf course, and as a fantasy sports manager. As a golfer, Matt achieved every amateur and professional’s dream: the ultimate accomplishment of a hole-in-one - and he did it more than once. With regards to fantasy football, there are too many leagues to mention, a few championships documented, and a few more claimed.
Matt was an exceptional cook. From scratch-made salsa to slow-cooked chili to working a grill like a master chef to shucking oysters with homemade mignonette sauce, sharing a meal with Matt meant sharing a memory and a full stomach. He had great stories to share about different trips he had taken for work or pleasure to Utah, California, England, France, and many other destinations.
Matt loved The Tragically Hip, going to concerts, and simply being surrounded by music. He also loved the University of Michigan’s teams, delighting in their recent national championships in football and men’s basketball, and perhaps even more in lighthearted wagers with friends and family who dared to live in Columbus, Ohio or support that university’s hometown team.
Matt graduated from St. Francis High School, earned his undergraduate degree from Canisius College, and a master’s degree from SUNY. Professionally, he served as a Senior Vice President and Operational Risk Director at M&T, a path that is a family legacy.
The family will be present on Friday, April 17, 2026 from 4:00-8:00pm at the (Orchard Park Chapel) AMIGONE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 6170 W. Quaker Rd. (Rt. 20A), Orchard Park, NY 14127. Family and friends are invited to assemble on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 10:00am to attend a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at Our Lady of Victory Basilica, 767 Ridge Rd., Lackawanna, NY 14218. Interment held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program at Holiday Valley at https://lounsburyadaptive.org/. Share condolences at www.AMIGONE.com.