Obituary of Matthew J. Pitcher

Matthew "Matt" J. Pitcher, age 34, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2013, with his loving family by his side. He is survived by his beloved wife Kimberly (Finster) and their two children; Miles James (3 years) and Lilah Mae (7 months). Matt was a devoted father who will eternally love his children very, very much. Also survived by his loving parents, Robert and Patricia Vick Pitcher; his devoted brother, Corey; sister in law Keri; his mother and father in law, James and April Finster; sister in law, Kristina Finster; and his very special nieces and nephew, Eleanor and Maxwell Pitcher and Arianna Finster; and aunts and an uncle and many cousins with whom Matt had a very special relationship. Matt, since age 10, was especially close with his dance teachers, Stephen and Canan Jackson and their children, Sean and Leyla. In addition, many close, life-long friends and McCormick East families. Matt's dance family is very numerous. He was fond of every student he taught. Matt was educated in Rome schools, having left at a young age for the School of American Ballet of the New York City Ballet. He graduated in a distance learning program from the University of Nebraska. He had an interesting and varied dance career in Nre York and Los Angeles. He also performed in the movies, Center Stage and Pearl Harbor. Matt particulary enjoyed choreography for which he won awards and immensely enjoyed teaching dance at his home studio, the John Hayes O'Neill Studio of Dance, in Rome. The Capitol Theatre was his second home. Once retired from his professional dance career, he was employed by Entertainment Services as a prodution manager. Matt gave time, attention, caring, kindness and professionalism to everything he did. He positively touched many lives. His greatest enjoyment was being a husband and a father. A celebration of Matt's life and career will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at 6:30 PM, at the Rome Capitol Theatre, 218 W. Dominick Street. The family will greet friends and guests at 5:30 PM, prior to the celebration of life. Arrangements are entrusted to the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street. Memorial contributions may be made to a Trust Fund for Miles and Lilah Pitcher, P.O. Box 251, Rome, New York 13442.