Mathew Nicholas, 43, of Summerville, South Carolina, passed away on May 2, 2026. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and raised in Butler, PA until his family moved to Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, at age 6, Mat lived a life marked by energy, humor, and a spirit that was entirely his own.

From an early age, Mat stood out. Bright, curious, and often a step ahead of everyone around him. As a child, he was known for his mischievous streak and fearless sense of adventure. Those who knew him then saw what would remain true throughout his life: Mat approached the world with boldness, creativity, and a refusal to be anything but himself.

As he grew older, that same drive found its footing in the family tree business. Mat became a skilled climber and later a certified arborist.

In his younger years, Mat was a passionate and talented soccer player. Known for his speed and determination, he loved the game and the camaraderie of his teammates. Later, as a young adult, he discovered a love for music and taught himself to play guitar. Music remained a constant in his life. He loved to sing, and he never passed up the chance to take the microphone at karaoke.

Mat's life asked a great deal of him, and he faced those challenges with a resilience that defined him. Even in difficult seasons, he remained lighthearted, generous, and deeply kind. He did not dwell in bitterness or self-pity. Instead, he met the world with an openness and loyalty that left a lasting impression on those around him. His ability to keep going-to find moments of joy, to offer warmth to others, to love purely, and to remain fully himself-was a quiet strength that his family will always carry with them.

Mat's faith was an important part of his life. He was a Christian who believed deeply in God and Jesus, and he returned to his faith time and again for strength, guidance, and peace.

He found lasting happiness with his wife, Sara Marie Garrett Nicholas. Together, they built a life rooted in shared joys, spending time with their animals, cooking, going to the movies, bowling, and just laughing together. They were married in the summer of 2017, and their partnership brought Mat a sense of peace and belonging. She was his light.

Mat remained, at heart, a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, carrying that loyalty with him from his early years in Pennsylvania through his life in South Carolina.

He is survived by his wife, Sara; his parents, Christopher and Jayne Nicholas; his maternal grandmother, Ann Graham McGinnis; his sisters, Emily Smith and Abigail Stock, their husbands, and his nieces and nephew, Harley Ann Smith, Walter Roscoe Stock, and Veda Jayne Stock, along with many extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

Mat will be remembered for his quick wit, his generous spirit, his deep faith, and the unmistakable way he moved through the world, leaving an impression that will not be forgotten.