Airman 1st Class Peter Mathews works on the plane. (Air National Guard/175th Wing photo)
New Jersey – Last week, a Long Island man who was a member of the Air National Guard died in a skiing accident in New Jersey.
Pilot First Class Peter R. Mathews from Bay Shore skied Big Snow, the indoor slope at the American Dream mall and entertainment complex in East Rutherford, last Thursday, according to a report. A relative told Newsday that he fell and hit his head on the ramp. He was rushed to Hackensack University Medical Center, where he died.
In a statement on behalf of the facility, a spokesperson said Ski Patrol responded to a “guest incident” on the slopes, but would not confirm anything else.
“First aid was administered and the guest was taken to a local hospital for further treatment,” the spokesman said. “Our thoughts are with the guest’s family at this time.”
Matthews enlisted in the Maryland Air National Guard in 2020, according to the military. He was a crew chief with the 175th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, which recently participated in exercises in Europe.
According to the Master Chief, he had hoped to follow his father’s example and become a pilot. Jeffrey Golabiewski, Senior Private, 175th Infantry.
“Peter was truly an amazing man, his smile lit up the room. If you had the chance to talk to him, you knew immediately that he had an extraordinary future and was destined to be great,” Gorabiev Ski said in a statement posted on Facebook. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and everyone who knew Peter.”
Matthews’ showing and funeral will be held at Bohemian Funeral Home in Moloney, Suffolk.
