Matthew Michael Finnegan, of Milton, a restaurant manger died unexpectedly at Beth Iseral Deaconess Medical center in Boston on Monday, February 9th 2026. He was 24.
Matthew grew up in Milton where he excelled in sports particularly football and baseball. In baseball circles, he was known for his nickname "Bam Bam" and for being the champion of annual Milton Little League Home Run Derby. In highschool Matt played both varsity football and baseball and was motivated to be a great teammate. He also worked part-time at Chipotle. In all endeavors, Matt enjoyed being part of a team.
Following his graduation from Milton High School in 2019, he enrolled full-time at Bridgewater state University and continued to work part-time. He eventually advanced into the Management Training Program at Chipotle where he most recently served as Assistant Manager at the Hingham location.
Matt loved history, especially the history of warfare and he also loved Star War. He enjoyed learning sports, sports analytics and closely followed the Boston professional sports scene. He enjoyed history podcast and movies and for many years, rose before dawn to attend the Battle reenactment at Lexington and Concord. His love for Star Wars ranged from the films to television and even to attending Comic Con with a light saber.
Matt was the beloved son of Timothy and Ann Hughes Finnegan and the loving older brother of Jack Finnegan. Matt found love with his longtime girlfriend Isabella Espinosa with whom he was nearly inseparable. Matthew's eleven uncles and seven aunts and twenty-one cousins will miss him deeply.
Donations in Matt's memory maybe made to the Jimmy Fund, Dana- Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168,Boston MA 02284-9168.
I was seven years old when Matt was born. I remember my mom putting a little picture on our fridge of a wrinkly newborn wrapped in a blanket. “This is your new cousin, Matthew Michael!” She shared excitedly. Matt was the first cousin that I remember being born and getting to watch grow up. I have fond memories of taking walks to the beach at the Pembroke house, swimming in the pool at Grammy Kay’s house and running around with Tunnah, and watching many, many Star Wars movies.
Looking back on it now, I am grateful that I got to spend so much time with my family as a kid. I feel guilty for not spending more time with Matt as an adult. We would get together every so often for holidays, have casual conversations and talk about our lives, but I wish I had reached out and scheduled more things. We had talked about setting up something small for Asher’s birthday because the big party was going to be too much. Unfortunately, we never got around to it with Asher and Matt both being sick.
I recently went through my camera roll, and I was so sad to find that I didn’t have any pics of Matt and Asher together, or many of Matt and me together. I did have lots of pictures of Matty at baseball, and Matt and Jack at birthday parties, and from Jack’s first communion. These pictures feel like a window into a different time, a different life. I wish I had taken more pictures when I had the chance, and I’ll carry that with me forever.
Matt was a great guy, soft spoken and humble. I loved to talk to him about life, his adventures and history, and his goal of being a history teacher one day. I truly think he would have gotten there with time, and I just can’t help but think of all the things Matt should have gotten. He deserved so much more than the time he was given, for his family (my uncle Tim, Auntie Ann and Jack), for Bella, and for him to come into his own. His life really had only just started.
As I continue to grapple with this loss, my perspective has really shifted on what matters, the things we hold dear, and how to continue on when it feels like our little world has stopped. Matty was such a light, and I will continue to carry him with me for the rest of my days, as I know everyone in our family will. I want my uncle, auntie and cousin to know that I am here for them, I love them unconditionally, and I will do my part to carry on Matt’s legacy, by living fully and authentically.
I love you, Matt.
Love,
Emi
Matthew Michael Finnegan was a radiant and beautiful light, a gentle and generous soul who consistently placed others before himself with remarkable grace and humility. He was an old soul, possessing wisdom far beyond his years. One of the most impressive and intelligent young man I have ever had the privilege to know.
At just three years old, Matthew began learning Spanish with his father and continued studying it; and adding French throughout elementary and high school. “Matty Mateo Miguel” was my uncle’s bebé guapo — always eager to be included in whatever his dad was doing. My aunt taught him to read at an early age, nurturing what would become a lifelong quest for knowledge.
Although Matthew was blessed with a large and loving family — the Finnegans with eight siblings and the Hughes family with six — he was cherished as “the baby” on both sides. He even earned the affectionate title of his grandmother Kay’s “favorite,” a distinction that offended no one because of his genuine and loving nature.
No matter the situation he faced, Matthew met it head-on with a bright smile that could transform the atmosphere of any room he entered. As cousins — especially the older ones — we are devastated, not only for our aunt and uncle in the loss of their son, but for ourselves, as we have lost our baby, our favorite cousin.
Matthew loved deeply. He was a man of few words, yet his presence spoke volumes. From the age of three, he was destined for sports. He adored athletics and deeply valued the Milton community, forming lasting bonds through the many teams and programs he was part of.
To match his pure soul, Matthew was blessed to find love with his devoted girlfriend, Isabella “Bella” Espinosa. Our family was truly blessed by her presence in his life.
Matthew touched and changed the lives of so many without ever realizing the depth of his impact. This tragic loss extends far beyond our immediate families. It has deeply affected the sports community and multiple towns connected to him. The town of Milton has shown tremendous support, as have Hingham, where he worked, and Bridgewater, where he attended school.
Though Matthew was quiet and reserved, those welcomed into his circle knew how special that privilege was. I am truly blessed to be related to such an extraordinary young man. Although Matt was twelve years younger than me, he taught me so much about life and about both giving and receiving unconditional love.
Matthew’s passing will forever change the dynamics of the Finnegan, Hughes, and Espinosa families. We will never be whole in the same way again. Our comfort moving forward lies in the unwavering love of our community and in the belief that his beloved grandmother, Kay Finnegan, was there to welcome him home.
I would like to end with a quote that captures the depth of this loss:
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” — Winnie the Pooh
We will never truly get over the loss of Matthew. But in our hearts, we know we were blessed to have had an angel on earth, and we are forever grateful to have known him.
With love,
Jessica Bowes and Aria Bowes-Moore
