Matthew William Shapiro, 41, passed away in his sleep on April 20th, 2026 at his home on Sunset Cliffs in San Diego.

Matt lived larger than life itself - a statement that anyone who has ever met him can attest to. If someone met him briefly, they have a story about him. To have been fully in his life is to have a filing cabinet bursting with stories, antics and the major life lesson or two accredited to him. Born in Cape May County, New Jersey, Matt spent his formative years busy with soccer and baseball, making friendships he carried close to his heart and maintained vigorously throughout his whole life.

Matthew attended Penn State University, where he graduated in just three years with a degree in Finance - he spent the fourth traveling through and surfing in Costa Rica. After his surf trip, he moved to San Diego, California where he happily spent the rest of his days. Attending The University of San Diego and graduating with his JD-MBA, he went on to have a successful and adventurous law career, operating under his own firm - Shapiro, Shapiro, Shapiro LLP. While earning his degree and getting his roots established as an attorney, Matt never let his passions fall to the wayside - above all, Matthew loved the ocean, live music, and being surrounded by good times with his friends and family. He lived his life by the water - surfing, foiling, back flipping off the cliffs…all with a funk, soul or rock and roll soundtrack to back the adventure at every moment. Matthews' cosmically out of this world presence was unforgettable. At the core of his being was a deep desire to be connected to, and connect, everyone around him with love.

Matthew leaves behind a loving community of friends and family from all walks of life. He is survived by his Mother (Lana Shapiro), Sister (Kristi MaDan, Bowie), Step Father (Robert MaDan), Aunt Kiki, Aunt Carla, lifelong friends who he considered his brothers and sisters, immeasurable connections made along the way, and of course Stevie Wonder and Carlos Santana. He is welcomed to the great unknown by his late father, Dana Shapiro.

We will honor Matthew by gathering to share our best Shapiro stories, laugh, and be together on May 16th. Please RSVP at the link below if you would like to join. If you are unable to make it, or want to honor him on your own time at any point - find him in the waves or in the music, he is already there waiting for you.

https://partiful.com/e/F3fQQjcfhgJ2EuUsD1qb?c=j55a3eGH