On January 6, Pennsylvania native Matthew Perna went to the Capitol to peacefully protest irregularities and broken state laws in the 2020 Election. He was then tracked down by the FBI shortly afterward in a federal witchhunt. Tragically, just days before his sentencing, he has taken his own life. Matthew was just 37 years old.
According to his family, he was led into the Capitol by officers – despite left-wing claims that the doors were broken down – where he was then pictured in an Instagram video posted by another protestor. Once he was alerted of an FBI warrant, Perna turned himself in immediately.
Perna had no idea just how crooked and political the justice system had become. According to his obituary, Matthew died of a broken heart after being betrayed and imprisoned by his own country. Here is his full obituary:
SHARPSVILLE, Pennsylvania (MyValleyTributes) – Matthew Lawrence Perna died on Friday, February 25, 2022 of a broken heart. His community, which he loved, his country and the justice system killed his spirit and his zest for life. Matt was an amazing man! In his 37 years, he experienced more than most people do their entire lives.
He graduated from Sharpsville High School in 2002, then went on to graduate from Penn State University.
Matt loved to travel and lived in Thailand and South Korea during his life, teaching English to school children.
He traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, South America, India and the United States of America making lasting friendships everywhere he went. He went on a mission trip to Haiti and also took many trips with his parents and brother Steve. Matt enjoyed conversing with all walks of life, especially the elderly. It was not unusual for him to strike up conversations with complete strangers, always eager to learn from others.
Matt enjoyed running long distance races and held medals from several states. He enjoyed reading every day and owned an extensive library of books. He loved music of all types and played piano and saxophone. He was an adventurer who loved trying different cuisines from all over the world and experiencing as many different cultures as he could.
Matt loved animals, especially dogs but when a sickly kitten made her way onto Matt’s porch, he nurtured and cared for her and named her Hinoki. He loved her dearly and she was his roommate.
He attended the rally on January 6, 2021 to peacefully stand up for his beliefs. After learning that the FBI was looking for him, he immediately turned himself in. He entered the Capitol through a previously opened door (he did not break in as was reported), where he was ushered in by police. He didn’t break, touch or steal anything. He did not harm anyone, as he stayed within the velvet ropes taking pictures.
For this act he has been persecuted by many members of his community, friends, relatives and people who had never met him. Many people were quietly supportive and Matt was truly grateful for them. The constant delays in hearings and postponements dragged out for over a year. Because of this, Matt’s heart broke and his spirit died and many people are responsible for the pain he endured. Matt did not have a hateful bone in his body. He embraced people of all races, income brackets and beliefs, never once berating anyone for having different views.
Matt is survived by his loving father, Lawrence of Sharpsville; his brother, Steven of Nederland, Colorado; his grandmother, Rosie Garzoni of Hermitage and several aunts, uncles and cousins, who will never stop missing him.
He was preceded in death by his amazing mother Roni; his grandparents, Henry and Millie Perna, as well as his grandfather, Frank J. Garzoni. Matt had a very special relationship with Frank J. who he greatly admired and missed very much.
Matt attended Central Community Church in Transfer, Pennsylvania. He was a Christian who read his Bible daily.
Matt’s family stood by him during this devastating ordeal and are extremely proud of his passion for life and his pursuit of many dreams. His actions last year are not looked down upon, instead his family is grateful and humbled by his courage. They say God never gives anyone more than they can handle. That statement is not Biblical, nor is it true. Rest Easy Matt, you are finally FREE!
Calling hours will be 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday March 1, 2022 and again from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, at John Flynn Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2630 East State Street, Hermitage, PA 16148. There will be a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 2, at the funeral home.
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6 Responses
Whether one innocent death in our Capitol Gulag or thousands of innocents in a far-away oligarch honeypot can alter our nation’s course only time will tell. We cannot choose the time in which we’re born, and living is our lesson. Too much comfort is sometimes an ominous warning of a grim future on the horizon. Matthew’s death should be a continuous alarm to look in all directions and be ready to pay the consequences of freedom. It’s not always free. But those responsible for his death should pay a heavy price because there IS a God! And He knows who they are. Down to level nine.
Rest in Peace Matt. You were the bravest of the brave. And you will be missed by many.
This obit made me cry for Matt and the other political prisoners. And in my humbn;e opinion Nancy Pelosi, Liz Cheney and the rest of the bad democrats in DC all have the blodd of Matt Petna/
Iam over 80 and I will say what is going on in DC is the most sickening act has ever been done in my lifetime. The people, like Matt, who have been harrassed and arrested, ec all because Pelosi hates Trump and is a very regenful female. Worthy of a slow and painful demise. Never have I hated anyone as much as I do Pelosi and some of the DC democrats.
If Matthew can be felony charged with disrupting an official proceeding, then we must all pray that Pelosi can be charged in the future with wrongful death. There is a God.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Mathew sounds like a young man, much like our son. I am sure after traveling to so many countries where freedoms are limited, his heart was broken by his beloved country. He is now your guardian angel, always watching over you. GOD’S BLESSINGS 🙏🙏🙏
So sorry for the loss of your Matthew!!! What a terrible tragedy! Our government is so sinister and rotten to the core. I hope and pray that we the people will stand and stay strong for justice and our constitutional and God given rights. I never heard of Matthew until today but he was a true hero. It is so SAD and OUTRAGEOUS that so many of our fellow citizens who have done nothing wrong have been persecuted for their personal beliefs. Never thought it would happen in America. My condolences go out to you and your family. God bless you!
I can only say Amen to your message. God bless Matthew for the fine upstanding patriot he was. May he rest in peace in a beautiful place forevermore. Condolences to his family and friends who gave their full support to him. God will in time punish those who are responsible for this unnecessary and most tragic death. They should all be ashamed of what their totally off-base claims of insurrection were in terms of most of those who protested. Will there ever be any justice for those who lost their lives and are currently in prison? Will there?! We are losing our freedoms faster than you can say UNBELIEVABLE and I can only point to the liberal Democrats and RINOs who go along with them.