Matthew Stephen Chrien

Matthew Stephen Chrien of North Charleston, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2026, at the age of fifty-four, after living with cancer for more than seven years.

Born on April 7th, 1972, to Gary and Nancy Chrien in Canton, OH, Matt was preceded in death by his mother. He is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, Colleen Chrien; children, Andrew, Tyler, Laura, and Mattie Chrien; father, Gary Chrien; brother, Ted Chrien, and his wife, Colleen; and sister, Andrea Cotham, and her husband, J; as well as several nieces, nephews, and extended family.

After graduating from East Lake High School in Oldsmar, FL, where he spent the majority of his childhood, Matt graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from his beloved Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. He spent the majority of his working career as an IT professional and business analyst, most recently as a long-standing. employee with the US Department of State.

Matt was a special blessing to everyone in his life. He had an amazing ability to make people feel truly seen through his humor, quiet acts of kindness, and generous spirit. He was one of the most fun-loving people ever. Matt cherished his family, and he cherished his friendships, never taking either for granted.

Being a dad to his four kids was Matt’s heart and soul. He was able to relive childhood through each of them, and he always made it the most fun! One of his best ideas was that each child, upon turning ten years old, would choose a family vacation destination. Lego Land, swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove, Niagara Falls, and the Grand Canyon were some of their most memorable family trips. Matt was always working on some crazy project that would take over part of the house, usually a fun or incredible gift for a friend, and the kids loved being a part of whatever he was creating. He was the school project helper, the dinner maker, and the math homework teacher. His kids love him fiercely, and the years they had with him were packed with examples of how to be a good person, how to cultivate lifelong friendships, and how to care for others while never losing that childlike wonder for life.

Matt and Colleen met twenty-five years ago when they worked at the South Carolina Aquarium. He taught her how to snowboard on a ski trip with co-workers, and they were inseparable from that day on. They truly were each other’s most favorite person, and they loved their crazy life together, raising kids and pets and having countless adventures. 

Having just celebrated their twenty-first wedding anniversary six days before Matt’s passing, they spent their last days together slowly walking laps in the hospital halls, holding hands, and living out their wedding song, “True Companion,” in its entirety.

The blessing Matt’s cancer diagnosis brought to their lives was almost eight years of focusing on what mattered most in their marriage, their friendships, and all the important relationships in their lives—and in that regard, they were better people because of it.

Matt will be so deeply missed by his family, friends, co-workers, and six a.m. CrossFit crew. No doubt his spirit will always be felt at his kids’ sports events, every Appalachian State football game, and anytime the people he loved are gathered together. There are lessons to be learned from the way Matt lived his life and the way he made everyone around him feel. His spirit will live on as we all try to be a little more like Matt. He was just THE BEST!

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Porter Room at Holy City Brewing, 1021 Aragon Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405 on November 1, 2026, from 12–3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a Go-Fund Me account has been set up for Colleen and the children. A portion of the donations will be used to establish a scholarship at their local high school in Matt’s name.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-chrien-family?attribution_id=sl%3A5dd1337b-b814-4576- a3f2 6c81cd8cd375&lang=en_US&ts=1788919287&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_-content=amp30-treatment-7&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link