Matthew LaBrake

Born in Saranac Lake, he was the son of the late Llyod J. and Lulu B. (Goff) LaBrake.

He graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1983 and received his associate’s degree from SUNY in Canton, New York.

Matthew grew up on a dairy farm in northern New York (Adirondacks) with seven older brothers and sisters, one bathroom and a long list of chores to do daily. It was a great life, but it was not easy. He learned from his parents and siblings how to work hard and get the job done right. He was the ultimate tinkerer brought about by necessity on the farm, and he would spend countless hours repairing cars, toys, appliances or anything else at all that need fixing — a talent he learned from his Dad.

Matthew worked for the state of New Hampshire Department of Transportation as a business systems analyst. He started out as a civil engineering technician and worked in many of the various bureaus, including but not limited to construction, planning and traffic. He worked his way up to his current position, making friends and learning about so many different facets of the entire DOT. Many people underestimated him and then were surprised when realizing the wealth of knowledge he carried with him! The friends he made in his construction days were still among his dearest, especially Pete, Paul and Conrad. Matthew was witty, clever, smart, and as far as couples go — he was the fun one!

Matthew adored his wife and was fiercely devoted to his children. Clearly, his time was cut too short as lots of plans were still to be carried out. After all, he had intended to spend his golden years racing Kris through the halls of his retirement home on wheelchairs. His two young grandchildren brought him so much joy and he was proud of how polite and how clever they are.

Matthew spent his free time with his family on their farm in Concord, New Hampshire. He enjoyed feeding the chickens or “his peeps,” throwing the ball for the dogs over and over, cooking on the grill, having fires and more. Although he never wanted a farm again, he took care of it with great pride and taught his children how to do so as well. He also shared with them his passion for movies and sweets, specifically his favorite hero Iron Man and the occasional Ben and Jerry’s treat. Matthew will also go down as one of the greatest dance dads. He attended nearly every recital for both his daughters spanning over 20 years and continued to do so for his granddaughter Cecelia.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Kris (Bennett) LaBrake of Concord; his son, Joseph Tracy of Minturn, Colorado; two daughters, Katherine Bailey and her husband Dillon of Concord, and Jillian LaBrake of Concord; two grandchildren, Cecelia and Jonah Bailey of Concord; two brothers, Andrew LaBrake and his wife Elise of Tupper Lake, New York, and Randolph LaBrake of Canton, New York; sisters Ruth Valentine and her husband Gary of Tupper Lake, Sharon Farmer and her husband Mark of Lake Clear, New York, Dorothy McMenemy and her husband Fred of Lake Clear, and Jane Robinson and her husband Scott of Malone, New York; a foster sister, Jacquline Provost of Canajoharie, New York; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 28 at the Waters Funeral Home, 50 South Main St., Concord, New Hampshire. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 29 in the Chapel of the Waters Funeral Home. Burial followed in the Blossom Hill Cemetery.