William Keating

Norwell resident Chris Matthews, a political aide and community advocate, died unexpectedly at age 36.

Matthews served as district outreach and communications director for Congressman Bill Keating.

Matthews was remembered by colleagues and family for his dedication to public service, sense of humor, and kindness.

Matthews is survived by his partner of seven years, Molly McKitrick, and her son, Eli.

Chris Matthews was known for his unwavering dedication to helping others, as well as a strong belief in democracy. He had a keen knowledge of politics, especially in Massachusetts, and a contagious sense of humor.

“He was a genuinely sincere person who shined through, no matter what he did — helping someone who called our office or going across the country in the cold and rain, knocking on doors on a national campaign to really make a change in people’s lives,” said Congressman Bill Keating, whose 9th District includes the South Shore, South Coast, Cape Cod and the islands, and for whom Matthews worked as district outreach and communications director.

Matthews, who grew up in Scituate and more recently made his home in Norwell, died unexpectedly following a medical event on June 29. He was 36.

Matthews, who had a brother, Brian, but lost both of his parents when he was a teenager. He also leaves his partner of seven years, Molly McKitrick, and her son, Eli.

“Chris was my anchor and my safety,” McKitrick told Wicked Local. “He was a true partner in every sense of the word, and an amazing father figure to my son. I am completely devastated and it feels impossible to imagine our lives without him. I, along with my whole family, will miss him beyond measure.”

She said the couple enjoyed simple pleasures — cozy nights at home, watching Jeopardy on TV, taking their dog for walks, listening to music and just talking.

McKitrick’s mother, Rosemary McKitrick, called Matthews an “old soul who was respectful and full of integrity.”

“He was like a son to me,” she said. “He was so gracious. He was such a love. He loved us and he loved our dog. He loved animals tremendously and treated them like humans.”

Matthews would join the McKitrick family for holidays and family vacations.

“He would anticipate your need before you knew it,” Rosemary McKitrick added. “He could solve anything and always had this sense of calm.”

'It was always a pleasure to see him'

David Ball, a retired sixth-grade teacher at the former Lester J. Gates Intermediate School in Scituate, remembered having Matthews in class.

“He was a very good student,” Ball said. “An interesting kid.”

Ball remembered running into Matthews at a campaign event for former state Rep. Jim Cantwell, D-Marshfield.

“He had graduated high school, and we talked and had a really good conversation," Ball said. "I saw him again at Town Meeting and at that point he was working for Keating, and we talked again. It was always a pleasure to see him. He passed too soon; it’s very sad.”

Cantwell, now state director for U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, met Matthews in 2010 at the suggestion of Ball, who said he knew “this dynamic kid who would be great in politics,” Cantwell recalled.

“I could not have predicted how prescient David (Ball) was, as over the last 16 years, Chris has been a positive force in civic affairs, at the local, state, and federal level.”

He added that the world needs more people like Matthews — those who are dedicated to public service and who selflessly give their time and their talents to help others.

“He was the rare combination of someone who was wise beyond his years, was as witty as a professional comic, was as caring as a social worker," Cantwell said.

‘He inspired everyone he worked with’

Matthews' career with Keating started in 2010, when he volunteered for the congressman's first campaign.

“His whole focus with us was, what can I do to make people in our community or state or country have better opportunities," Keating said. "He inspired everyone he worked with.”

Colleagues said that after losing his father at a young age, Matthews looked to Keating as a father figure.

“I looked up to him,” Keating confided. “I valued his wisdom and judgement. He liked the old music from the era I came from, and he liked the water, like I do. We had things in common that we shared, including making this country better. It wasn’t a one-way street. As time went on, I was looking for advice from him.”

Matthews’ sense of humor was something else Keating recalled fondly, saying it “lit up the room,” especially when work could get mundane or difficult.

“He had that sort of wry humor that made the hours go by quickly," Keating said. "What drove him to make a difference in people’s lives was knowing the difference between knowing how things are and knowing how things should be. He understood that.”