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Hundreds of mourners are expected to attend funeral services today and tomorrow for Matthew “Matt” LoNigro, a popular youth lacrosse coach and community leader from Miller Place.
LoNigro died suddenly on Wednesday, May 10. He leaves behind a profound legacy as a dedicated family man, a successful businessman and a devoted member of numerous community organizations.
Visitation services began at 2 p.m. today inside Branch Funeral Home of Miller Place, located at 551 Route 25A in Miller Place. The services will continue until 9 p.m. A funeral Mass in honor of LoNigro will take place on Tuesday, May 16, at 10 a.m. at St. Louis de Montfort Roman Catholic Church, 75 New York Ave. in Sound Beach.
Born in Rockville Centre and a graduate of Newfield High School, LoNigro dedicated countless hours to coaching and organizing youth sports. He coached his daughter’s and son’s lacrosse teams while they grew up in Miller Place, and, recognizing the importance of inclusivity, he often stepped up to coach teams at risk of folding, to ensure the children on those teams had the opportunity to play.
LoNigro was the President of the Miller Place Athletic Booster Club, as well as the Police Athletic League director for Miller Place Boys Lacrosse. Additionally, he served as a member of the Hope House Ministries Advisory Board and the Hope House Golf Committee.
Deeply touched by LoNigro’s death, many residents of the Miller Place community are honoring LoNigro this week by changing their Facebook profile image to the Miller Place Lacrosse logo with a halo above the letters.
LoNigro spent the majority of his career helping to build his family’s company, Port Jefferson Sporting Goods. After the company was sold, he worked at BSN Sports.
He is survived by his wife Julia; their two children, Matthew Jr., 20, and 16-yer-old Abigail. He is additionally survived by his parents, Richard and Priscilla LoNigro; 10 siblings, Rick, Bobby, Michael, Craig, Kevin, Keira Kelly, Koren Hart, Paul LoNigro, Shauna LoNigro Kerr and Brianne Cardaci; and his many nieces and nephews, including his goddaughter, Brittni.
