Matthew Brenske passed away suddenly at home on October 19, 2018. Matt was born in Monroe, Louisiana on September 30, 1985. Throughout his childhood, Matt had an avid interest in the military. In his junior year of high school, Matt joined the Army Reserves, completing his basic training between his junior and senior years. Upon graduating high school in Salem, N.H. in 2004, Matt began active duty service with the U.S. Army completing airborne school at Ft. Benning, Georgia and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, N.C.; from there, he went on to serve with the 5th RTB and 91st Civil Affairs. Matt served his country honorably for more than 14 years, including several deployments in Iraq where he was decorated for his courage under enemy fire.
Matt’s first love was his family and he was dedicated to raising his children, Tevyn Profitt and Tripp with Tristan. Matt loved doing things with his boys including playing football, camping, and fishing. He enjoyed all things mechanical and loved to work on and ride his motorcycle. He was always available to his friends and family to solve any mechanical issue or answer a question and he thrived on investigating and learning how to be of practical service to anyone that might need him. His quest for knowledge is something he will always be remembered for as he sought to answer life’s questions, make sense of the world, and help the people around him.
Matt was preceded in death by his mother, Donna Bates-Sospenzi and his maternal grandparents, Robert and Mary Ellen Bates. In addition to his wife and children, Matt leaves behind his dad and stepmother, Steven and Stella Brenske of Woodstock, Georgia, his sister Amanda from Wichita, Kansas, a step-brother Benton Barnes from Tacoma, Washington, and paternal grandparents Richard and Barbara Brenske, also of Woodstock, GA. Matt was especially close to his maternal aunt, Beth Fisher, who will also miss him dearly as well as a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins that both loved him and appreciated his service to his country. Matt established and maintained many close and enriching relationships throughout his life. These relationships provided him support and comfort during difficult times as well as the ability to express and display what so many people loved about him – his empathy, humor, kindness, and acceptance of each individual as they were.
We will all miss Matt’s smile, his sense of humor, especially his practical jokes, his generosity and his willingness to help others. Matt was not a flower-type of guy so, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Matt’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project.
He will be a hero in our hearts forever.
A funeral service with military honors will be held on Monday, October 29, 2018 at 1 p.m. at Boles Funeral Home Chapel in Southern Pines, NC. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. Burial will be on Friday, November 2, 2018 at Arlington Cemetery in El Dorado, Arkansas.
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines entrusted with the services.
