MATTHEW PRIOR FIGGIE, 52, of Gates Mills, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 25, 2018, and is now resting in peace.  He is preceded in death by his father, Harry E. Figgie Jr., his mother, Nancy F. Figgie, and brother Harry E. Figgie III.  Matthew is survived by his previous spouse of 17 years, best friend, and confidant Betsy Vuillemot-Figgie, his daughter Madeline Suzanne (Maddie; the joy of his life), brother Mark Figgie (wife Connie) along with six nieces and nephews.  Matthew was an avid Cleveland sports fan and animal lover, especially to his beloved Norwegian Elkhounds Skandie Biscuit and Weegee Guido.

Matthew was the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Figgie Capital, Chairman of Clark-Reliance Corporation, Chairman of The Figgie Foundation and Chairman of Fairmount Center for the Arts.

Under Matthew's leadership, the Clark-Reliance family was awarded the esteemed Plain Dealer Top Workplaces Award for the past nine years; the NorthCoast 99 Award in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018; and The Pillar Award for Philanthropy. Matthew was personally a recipient of the Smart Business Smart 50 Award in 2017 and 2018, which recognizes the top executives of the 50 smartest companies in the region for their ability to effectively build and lead successful organizations.

An advocate of the arts, Matthew was Chairman of the Fairmount Center for the Arts in Novelty, Ohio. Fairmount was a  recipient of Cleveland Magazine's 2017 and 2018 "Best of the East" Award.

The Figgie Foundation's mission and heartfelt commitment focuses on supporting our community and especially helping those truly in need, contributing to over 100 organizations annually including St. Christopher's by-the-River Episcopal Church and Coats for Kids.  Through Matthew's leadership, the Foundation established the Youth Ambassador Award for Philanthropy.

Matthew graduated from Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, Ohio, in 1984, where he excelled academically and athletically.  He was a 3-year letter winner in both baseball and football, and was chosen baseball MVP in the 1984 season.  Matthew was Gilmour Man of the Year in 1984 and was inducted into the Gilmour Academy Hall of Fame in 1989.   Several of his high school baseball records  still stand, including batting average in a season (.587), stolen bases in a season (57), stolen bases career (170) and on-base percentage in a season (.729).

Matthew went on and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree with a double concentration in Finance and Human Resources from the McIntire School of Commerce at The University of Virginia. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Baldwin Wallace College with a concentration in Accounting.  Matthew attended the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University where he and Betsy studied together, each earning a Master of Business Administration.

A private graveside burial will take place Thursday, August 30, 2018.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 31, 2018, at Gilmour Academy's Athletic Center located at 2045 SOM Center Road Gates Mills, OH 44040.

Maddie requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations in her father's memory be made to either:

University Hospitals Transplant Institute c/o University Hospitals Institutional Relations and Development
P.O. Box 94554 Cleveland, OH 44101-4554

or

Rescue Village 15463 Chillicothe Road Novelty, OH  44072 www.geaugahumane.org\donate