The following writings of feelings and memories were written by friends and schoolmates of Matthew during their grief counselling the night after Matthew's passing. Some are very touching and all speak of Matthew's beautiful personality. Some of these writings were also included in a "Booklet of Memories" presented to us by the students of Leary's Brook the day of Matthew's Memorial Service at the school on April 15th, 2005.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Churchill,

I’ve struggled for the past two weeks to write this note to you. I can’t image what I could say that would bring you comfort. I was away for Easter break and therefore, did not get to see you at the Funeral Home. Matthew and you have been in my thoughts since I heard about the accident. As I think about all the children and families who I have worked with over the years, I can’t think of any child who was more cherished by his family than Matthew. He was a kind-hearted, fun-loving and energetic boy who will be very much missed. I hope that it helps to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

.....A message from one of Matthew’s teacher at Beachy Cove Elementary School

I remember all the fun times we had playing hack out in the parking lot.
…..Paul French

I remember when Krista, Matthew, and I climbed a fence at Beachy Cove and Mrs. Kennedy took us by the ears and made us sit by the door for 5 minutes. During that whole time, Matthew had a big smile on his face.
…..Alyssa Crocker

We use to talk about girls,girls, hockey, guitar, snowboards, girls on MSN. Matt use to show his cat and dog on the webcam when we chattyed on MSN.

.....A Friend

I remember his laugh, how he was so full of life, and how he was so happy.
…..Collin Royal

I remember that Matthew liked to skate and play street hockey with all his friends.
…..Adam Burry

Matthew Churchill was a nice guy. He was always a person that would make you laugh. I will always remember him because I was always in his class from K-6 and he always made me smile.
…..Ashley Churchill

Matthew was a loving person with huge, eyes you could get lost in. He will always be remembered and we will always love him.
…..Nancy Ward

What I remember most about Matthew is how he was always smiling. He would always just laugh everything off. He would never let anything get to him. He lived his life to the fullest and he loved every minute of it. He was a great friend and he listened to everything anyone had to say. He was in my basement spinning on my computer chair, then got up and tried to run in a straight line. While he was doing this, he tripped up and fell. Instead of getting upset, he just laughed it off!
…..Rebecca Ginn by Allie, Kera & Schona

On March 28/2005 we lost an amazing friend, but we gained an angel who will be watching down on us and waiting for you at the gates of heaven.
…..A Friend

When we were playing hockey in the gym if it wasn’t for Matt on the team we would have been hopeless.
…..A Friend

The one thing I will always remember is that every one of my friends that I have fought with, Matthew is the only one I have never fought with. I also remember that whenever he was with us he never took the smile off his face.
…..A Friend

I remember how me and Matt used to talk at night on MSN and he used to eat pudding on the webcam. He was always so cute and nice. I loved his big eyes. What helps me the most is looking at his picture and remembering.
…..Rae

Matt was a sweetheart. He’ll never be forgotten! Matt was a great guy and he will always be remembered.
…..Stefany Roberts

Matt you will always be remembered, and we will always love you. You were the sweetest, happiest guy. I will miss seeing your smile in the halls. We all love you!
…..Candice G.

The hardest thing about school is Matthew not being there anymore because he made me laugh, he was nice, he was just fun to be around. I worry about his parents and how they are doing. What helps me the most is the memories I have of him. And all the spotlight games that we had together and all the fun times. I’ll never forget him.
…..Ashley Day

When I heard about Matthew’s death I was in shock because he was such a good person. Matthew let me sit with him my first time on the bus this year. He was so nice. I just want say to Matthew’s parents that you have the support of me and my family.
…..Meaghan Kent

My friends are so sad. The adults in my life tell me it’s ok to cry. What helps me is knowing he is in a better place.
…..Sarah

Matthew was always so full of life. I can remember one time when we were in grade 4 and Matthew had aftershave in his backpack which broke!! Mrs. Stone didn’t let him forgot about it for the rest of the year.
…..Sarah Troke

Matthew was an amazing guy with a huge heart. Everyone that knew him, loved him. He would do anything for anyone. He has so much life in him. He was a great friend and will always be loved.
…..A Friend

Matthew was a kind person. He was great to be around. The thing I will miss most is his warm smile. I give his parents my thoughts and feelings.
…..Sarah Tucker

Matthew was a great person who had the cutest smile! I have a lot of memories of him on the bus for he sat rights across from me. I will never forget him.
…..Cassie O’Brien

Matt was very unique. No one could put a smile on your face like Matt Churchill could. Love you Matt!!
…..A Friend

Matt playing on the hockey team will not the same without you-I won’t forget you!
…..A Friend

I did not know Matthew very much but from what I see, his friends loved him very much. We will all miss him very much. We will all remember him.
…..Joey

I remember one night when we were talking about fairies and we got pretty scared. Matthew told that turning your clothes inside out would keep you safe from the fairies so Matt and Jason turned their clothes inside out. And no Matthew how silly they looked, they went back to Matthew’s house like it.
…..A Friend

Matt was such a cool guy and I don’t understand why this had to happen. Its help to know that Greg is okay and that two tragedies didn’t happen.
…..Josh

I love you Matt. You were a great friend and we will miss you dearly. Everyone will. You had a lot of great friends too. I didn’t realize how many friends you had until I went to the funeral. I didn’t even get a seat and I went there 45 minutes early. There were even people standing outside. But nobody can say you weren’t loved and you didn’t have any friends because there are so many people who will never forget you. RIP Matt. I love you. I’ll see you again some day. I’ll never forget you.
…..Charity

I will never forget the times that we had since the first time that I met you. When we first started to talk, you showed me that you have two sides to you. Those sides were your serious focused side and the other side was your care and sense of humor side. I think those two sides are what makes you a cool person and friend. I will also never forget those times when we want to the rink early and watched the hockey games and just to shoot the puck. Matt, even though I have only known you a few months, it feels like I have known you all my life. Even though you liked Metalliac and I liked rap that never made you thick twice about being my friend. I also want to thank you for showing me a few songs on the guitar and being a great friend.
…..Will

My first feeling was, “why did this happen?’ Now I feel really upset because of what happened. Matthew Churchill was a great person in this school and a lot of us here are really going to miss him. Most of all I’ am going to miss the way he laughed and the way he smiled. You will be in my heart always Matt.
…..Jessica Kirby

Matthew was a good person who never complained and always had a smile on his face and he did not deserve to die RIP MATT M*15
…..A Friend

Dear Churchy, Remember when you tried to pop the chocolate milk and it took you forever and when I did it for you. The meatballs subs that were always wicked except you would ruin your with mayonnaise. And how we always slapped each other all the time. Remember the time me, you and Ryan were at Cozy’s and you guys dared me to trip up? That was wicked.
…..Tanner

Every time I saw Matthew in the hallways he was always smiling or laughing about something. Everyone at school is feeling down because Matthew isn’t here. I couldn’t believe it when I heard about the accident. I wish I would have know him better. I worry about his parents and how they are doing.
…..Alsiha

I thought it was a sin when I heard about Matthew’s death because he was only 15 and he did nothing wrong. Now I feel mad because of how he died. I worry about his friends and family because it’s so horrible.
…..A Friend

All of my memories of Matthew are great. I remember one time when almost everyone was going down to Cozy’s and I wanted to go so bad but no one asked me if I wanted to and I was too shy to ask. That day on the bus we were talking and he asked me if I wanted to go, Matthew was so nice to everyone. I don’t remember a time when he wasn’t smiling. Another time I can remember is when me and Faye walked down to his house and we all sat on his deck and read ghost stories.
…..Stacey

What I remember about Matt was that he always put gross thing on his food and how he would eat anything. He loved hot spicy food!
…..A Friend

I was in his band “ZERO TOLERANCE”. I remember playing hockey on Neary’s Pond and eating at Cozy’s with him. Its so sad because he was only 15 and didn’t even get to live his full life.
…..A Friend

Mr and Mrs Churchill, don’t forget, if Matthew were here he’d want us to smile. It makes me so sad that I’m never going to see his smile again for the rest of my life. Matthew was always the class clown, making people laugh and everyone, everyone loved him for it.
…..A Friend

I feel sorrow for everyone who knew Matthew and for his parents. I didn’t know Matthew well but it makes me feel sad because he had a life ahead of him and it got cut off.
…..A Friend

This tragedy reminds me of nothing else because I have not felt sadness like this before. My first feeling was sadness because I knew him and was talking to him the day before. Matthew will always be missed by all of his friends and family. He was a good person. He was a good person who never harmed anyone. May Matthew’s soul rest in peace among the angels.
…..A Friend

I remember when I went to one of Matt’s hockey practices and him and Jason were down on the ice. I was up in the bleachers with his mom, Jason had looked up into the bleachers at me to see who I was and then Matt and Jason both banged into each other and fell on the ice. We all laughed.
…..Sarah Tucker

Matt was always making people laugh. He didn’t have anything bad to say about anyone or anything. He was a great snowboarded and hockey player. He rocks! We will meet again one day. Love you Matt!
…..A Friend

There was never a time that I didn’t see Matthew with a smile on his face.
…..Angela Churchill

I knew him since preschool. The pictures of him and he always smiling. The memory I have of him is we were in grade two and he was really short and on the bus he could hardly see over the seat. He was always trying to see over the seat and he couldn’t and I would laugh at him all the time.
…..Jade

Mr and Mrs Churchill, thank you for giving us such a great friend. He was always smiling and laughing and caring about other people. You are not alone in this ordeal. All of us are here if you ever want to talk. We loved Matthew and we always will. You guys are in our prayers. We love you. We love you churchy and keep the big guy above smiling and laughing.
…..A Friend

Matt is still with us, in our hearts. Matthew is an amazing person, because you are amazing parents.
…..Jillian