Aug 17, 2022

Matthew Aaron Boice, 61, of East Washington, died Friday, August 12, 2022.

He was born June 14, 1961, in Butler, a son of Janice Charles Boice, who survives, and the late Robert E. Boice.

Matthew was a 1979 graduate of Butler Area School District, received the degrees of Bachelor of Music from Grove City College, Master of Music from Duquesne University, and has done Doctoral work in Music Education at West Virginia University, as well as other post-graduate studies at Westminster Choir College and Kent State University.

Matthew spent his entire working life as a music educator, working for Avella Area, Peters Township, and most recently, Quaker Valley School District, from where he retired after 33 years in education. He also worked as an adjunct music professor at Washington and Jefferson College, Grove City College, California University of Pennsylvania and Waynesburg University.

He was a member of Pennsylvania Music Educators Association for which he served in leadership positions and was a featured clinician of numerous choral festivals. He also belonged to American Choral Directors Association.

He was serving as the mayor of East Washington Borough.

Matthew was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church, where he served as a tenor soloist, and more recently was serving as its organist and music director.

He was a 20-year member of the professional core of the Meldelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh under Robert Page, and was in demand as a soloist, clinician and conductor. He was performing Renaissance, Baroque, Colonial and Celtic music with Beau Street Players of Washington, and was the artistic director and conductor of the Washington Festival Chorale.

Matthew was past master of Sunset Lodge #237, Free & Accepted Masons, Washington, and was very active in the Syria Shrine and several Masonic fraternities.

On October 22, 1983, in Derry, he married Linda Marsh, who survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Sarah (Mitchell) Stecker, and Kelly (Dustin) Fuller, both of Washington; a brother, Dwight (Tammy) Boice of Butler; a sister, Wendy (Reuben III) Holt of Chicora; a granddaughter, Audra Fuller; nieces, Jodi, Laura and Anna; nephews, Reuben and Buck; also several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Friends will be received from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 19, in the Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 20, in First Presbyterian Church, 1793, 100 E. Wheeling Street, Washington, PA 15301, with the Rev. Dr. L. Stephen Smith, Jr. and the Rev. Sandra Marsh McClain officiating. Interment will be private. Masonic services will be held 7:30 p.m. Friday evening, in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be directed to Shriners Hospitals for Children, lovetotherescue.org, or the First Presbyterian Church, 1793, Organ Fund, at the address above.

Condolences may be expressed at www.piattandbarnhillfh.com. Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors, Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor, Andrew C. Piatt, director.