973-762-2200 (The Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home) | 973-762-1133 (Preston Funeral Home)
jacobhollefh@aol.com
prestonfh@aol.com
Tribute Wall
Monday
5
January
Funeral Service
10:00 am
Monday, January 5, 2026
St. George's Episcopal Church
550 Ridgewood Rd
Maplewood, New Jersey, United States
973-762-1319
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thomasina Theodorakos uploaded photo(s)
Monday, January 12, 2026
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I met Mateo when my brother became close with him. He was the sweetest boy, i didnt even know they made them like that anymore, he was the light in every room he went into. Summers wont ever be the same without Mateo. He was so funny and so mindful and sweet he will be missed.
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Nicky Dowd posted a condolence
Sunday, January 11, 2026
I met Mateo at Strong Wings and was fortunate to work with him as a CIT this past summer. He was always kind and a pleasure to be around, delivering smiles to campers and counselors alike. His presence will be missed in our Strong Wings community.
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Miles Henderson uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
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Mateo was one of the best friends anyone could ask for. Mateo and I have spent the last decade together whether in New York, Nantucket, or Maplewood. We first began becoming close when we joined strong wings together and since then we have spent endless nights laughing, crying, biking for hours and hours, getting quarantined together at camp, filming silly thirst trap videos, and especially enjoying the beautiful Nantucket ocean on our friends boat or below his lovely house. Every moment has been a moment that is unforgettable as Mateo has filled my life with beauty and laughter and touched my heart in a way no one else could do as he was the one person I could talk about anything to and he would always have a funny joke or something beautiful to respond with.
The photo below was the last photo I was able to take with Mateo this past summer. In the middle of the night we were able to go bike to the ocean and we sat under the stars with one final goodbye to end the summer. It was a beautiful goodbye as we were able to talk to our future together as friends and how our bond was unbreakable. I am going to miss my goofy loving guy who I consider a brother. I am so grateful that Mateo was able to be a huge apart of my life and that I was a part of his. Rest well my brother, I hope to see you again near the ocean soon and you can tell me about every single car that passes us.
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J.A. Mirabal posted a condolence
Monday, January 5, 2026
I'm just learning of the sad news of Mateo's passing. I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember Mateo as a very caring, kind-hearted, brilliant, talented, beautiful child, with a great laugh and sense of humor. May he rest in peace.
Sending prayers and condolences to all of you, Eliud, Jonathan, and Sofia, along with all of Mateo's loved ones, friends, and family,
Jennifer Gandásegui,
Mateo's Assistant Kindergarten Teacher
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Nyatta Kiara Family posted a condolence
Monday, January 5, 2026
We are profoundly saddened by the news of Mateo’s death. We remember him fondly from our time together in Battery Park City. He was such a happy, curious, engaging, fun and gentle soul. May he rest well. We pray for Sofia, Eliud, Johnathan and the rest of their family in this time of great sorrow and grief. The Nyatta Kiara Family
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Elena Byars posted a condolence
Sunday, January 4, 2026
I have learned of Mateo’s passing and I am beyond heart broken. My love and prayers to the family. What an amazing kid and I know he will be missed. Prayers for comfort and peace.
Our condolences, Chris and Elena Byars
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Anisa Mehdi posted a condolence
Sunday, January 4, 2026
Mateo was a terrific neighbor. He always had time for a smile and sometimes would stop and chat. So bright. So curious. So observant. So artistic. Once at my home he looked around and appreciated that I was “a maximalist.” He saw immediately that I, too, communicated with color and image. I will miss him.
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Bo Lauder posted a condolence
Sunday, January 4, 2026
I have learned of Mateo’s passing with great sadness. I hold him and his family in the Light at this time of great loss.
You have my deepest condolences.
Bo Lauder
Head of School Emeritus
Friends Seminary
New York City
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Chick Reinemo posted a condolence
Saturday, January 3, 2026
I was fortunate enough to get to know Mateo over our time at Strong Wings, and more specifically, this past summer as we were both CITs. He was such a great role model for so many kids, and it was absolutely incredible to see him interact with campers and his co workers. He lit up every room walked into, and always knew how to cheer us up. He was such a kind and genuine person. His absence will be noticed, and he will definitely be missed.
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Emy Browers posted a condolence
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Mateo was so incredible. He was so incredibly funny and always lit up the room. I’ve gone to strong wings with him for many years, one of my favorite memories was meeting him when I was very young, he could name any model of
any car no matter what. And it always fascinated me. He
will be missed by so many. Sending love to the family.
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Lincoln Otcasek posted a condolence
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Mateo and I had been campers at strong wings together since we were eight years old, and we worked there together this summer. I’ve never met a funnier, more caring guy in my life. The summer days and nights I spent with him will always be some of my fondest memories. I love you dude, rest well.
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Lexie posted a condolence
Saturday, January 3, 2026
I only knew Mateo since this summer but from the moment I met him he left a smile on everyone’s faces. He brought so much joy to everyone around him and always prioritized others instead of himself. He is one of the most caring people I knew and he was a light in this world. He will be missed dearly by so many.
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Cypress Yost uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, January 3, 2026
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Cypress Yost posted a condolence
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Mateo and I worked together at Strong Wings on Nantucket as CIT’s this past summer. Mateo was the brightest, funniest, and most charismatic person, always cracking jokes, while still making sure that all of his campers and friends were happy. Mateo was one of the kindest people I had ever met, and I’ll continue to miss and cherish all of the times we spent together CITing.
Mateo, you’ll be missed endlessly, and hopefully, someday, I’ll teach you how to kite board, like we always talked about. Thank you for being such a great friend.
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Greyson Wallace uploaded photo(s)
Friday, January 2, 2026
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Mr Maz’s art class with you, Marcus, and Jadoni was the most fun ive had in any class, ever. We had a ton of laughs, you will be missed deeply by all of us man
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Madelyn Conto uploaded photo(s)
Friday, January 2, 2026
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Matteo and I worked together over the summer at Strong Wings, where we quickly became good friends and shared many laughs and great memories. One of my favorite moments was when we were paired up to go to Alter Rock. It was a brutal bike ride, but Matteo always managed to put a smile not only on my face, but on everyone else’s as well. He was one of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever known, and it is heartbreaking to imagine not being surrounded by his kindness anymore. Matteo will truly be missed.
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Madelyn Conto posted a condolence
Friday, January 2, 2026
Matteo and I worked together over the summer at Strong Wings, where we quickly became good friends and shared many laughs and great memories. One of my favorite moments was when we were paired up to go to Alter Rock. It was a brutal bike ride, but Matteo always managed to put a smile not only on my face, but on everyone else’s as well. He was one of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever known, and it is heartbreaking to imagine not being surrounded by his kindness anymore. Matteo will truly be missed.
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Mason Schwartz posted a condolence
Friday, January 2, 2026
I worked with Mateo this summer, and he was always the first person I looked forward to talking to when I arrived at work. No matter what task we were assigned, he had a way of making me laugh and turning even ordinary moments into something enjoyable. He was truly an amazing person to work with and spend time around.
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colby Costa uploaded photo(s)
Friday, January 2, 2026
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I met Matteo at work in Nantucket at Strong Wings, and he quickly became such a good friend. I have so many great memories with him, especially when he told me that if I were a Gatorade flavor, I’d be cucumber lime. I’ll always remember that—it shows just how thoughtful and unique he was. Losing him is really hard, but those moments will stay with me forever.
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Thomas Theodorakos uploaded photo(s)
Friday, January 2, 2026
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Mateo, you were one of the nicest kids I have ever met you filled my summers with laughter and kindness me and the boys will miss you a unmeasurable amount and will always be remembered throughout our endless hang out photos just like this one. truly the nicest person I’ve ever spent time with
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Colin Richard posted a condolence
Friday, January 2, 2026
I worked with Mateo this summer. He brought his own unique and funny vibe to the workplace. Any day I got paired to work with him I knew it was going to be full of laughter.
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Hank Shertenlieb posted a condolence
Friday, January 2, 2026
I worked with Mateo last summer at Strongwings and he was a great guy. Brought a sense of humor to every scenario and whenever I saw him he gave me an automatic smile.
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Oliver marks-Sergent posted a condolence
Friday, January 2, 2026
I wasn’t super close to Mateo, but the time I spent talking with him was fun. I remember talking about cars and what model or what engine was in the cars. He was super nice to me and he was also really caring, we will forever miss you Mateo.
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The family of Mateo Kauffman Sandler uploaded a photo
Friday, January 2, 2026
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973-762-2200 (Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home)
973-762-1133 (Preston Funeral Home)
jacobhhollefh@aol.com
prestonfh@aol.com
2122 Millburn Ave | Maplewood, NJ | 07040
153 South Orange Ave. | South Orange NJ | 07079
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