Matthew John Tierney

February 7, 1973 - April 25, 2013
Matthew John Tierney

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Our beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend Matthew John Tierney passed away at his home on April 25 at the age of 40.

Matthew graduated from Apex High School then went on to get his undergraduate degree in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, NC. Matthew was an avid fisherman and loved being on the water. He also had a passion for the outdoors and loved camping, hiking, biking, and being in the mountains. His love of the ocean helped him choose his life work and enjoy a successful career for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. His work enabled him to go out on fishing trawlers and conduct scientific experiments on all marine life in many areas of North America.

Matthew is survived by his father, Richard Tierney and wife Lynnie, of Cary, his mother, Marcia Misenheimer and husband Bob, of Cary, his sister Karin Martinsen and husband Hans, of Atlanta and Karin’s daughters, Noelle and Hadley, his aunt and uncle, Sharon and John Scales of Ft Lauderdale. Matthew loved his family and friends dearly. He and Karin were especially close and he always enjoyed spending time with his nieces. Matthew was pre-deceased by his loving maternal grandparents, Lawrence and Margie Coggins of Danville, VA and John Lester and Clementine Tierney of Arlington, VA.

The memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 5th at 3:00pm at First United Methodist Church in Cary, NC. Memorial donations can be made to Appalachia Service Project at the church.

There will also be an Ocean Side memorial service in Wilmington, NC.

Please share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Sign Guest Book” tab above.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099


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  • April 29, 2013
    Andy High says:
    What a neat guy, a good friend, an accomplished fisherman, he's someone that will be missed. I haven't seen him in a while. We wondered where he was. I'm so sorry for everyone's loss.

  • April 29, 2013
    Lee Taylor says:
    My heart goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Tierney and his sister that he spoke of so often. I taught Matty how to fish and spent years with him out at sea. So many great memories. His achievements as an accomplished fisherman and researcher were admired by all of his peers. He was like a younger brother to me and I am heart broken over this. He will be missed so very much. Lee

  • April 28, 2013
    Barbara Garlock says:
    To Rick (and Lynnie), Adequate words fail in the face of a tragedy like this. Please know that I am so deeply sorry about the death of your son Matt, especially so very young! Rick, you, especially, are held in my fervent, continual prayers, during this already-difficult time, when you are working so hard to heal physically ... May your son's soul be at peace ... and may you, in time, find mercy, comfort and healing in what now must seem overwhelming... You remain in my thoughts and prayers, as does the soul of Matt,. and all who love him. With love to your family, Barbara

  • April 30, 2013
    Ruth A. Tripp says:
    Richard, Marcia, Karin, Our deepest sympathy in the loss of Matthew at such a young age and during the prime of his life and career. Matthew played soccer with our son Richard on the Mercury Soccer team during their younger years. The team was coached by Roland, and we remember him well. Karin was a classmate and friend of our daughter Regina at Farmington Woods Elementary. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of your family. Sincerely, Ruth & Roland Tripp of Cary, NC.

  • April 29, 2013
    Jason Failla says:
    Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family. I live across the street from Matt, and he was such a good neighbor. We always talked about our fishing trips and fishing info. He will be missed greatly. God bless Matt and his family. - Jason, Tracey, Josh, Emily and Ryan Failla