Richards Teacher Matt Gavin Loses Battle With Cancer

Richards High School is reeling from the loss of a popular teacher and tennis coach who lost his battle with cancer.

Parents received an automated voice-mail from the school principal informing them that Matt Gavin had passed away at age 32 on Friday morning. Gavin is the son of Mary Ellen Gavin, who serves Dist. 218 as a speech pathologist at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island.

Listen to the automated message from the Richards HS principal.

In his automated message to parents, principal John Hallberg said that counselors would be available at the school Monday to talk to students and staff.

After the news broke late Friday afternoon, many parents and students left messages of sadness and grief on Richards’ Facebook page, portraying Gavin as an an upbeat, hardworking teacher and coach with a talent for bringing out the best in his students:

“Prayers and condolences to Mr. Gavin's family. He was a great teacher, tennis coach, mentor and friend to my son Matt. Such a tragic loss.”

“You were one of my favorite teachers, rip my prayers are with the family.”

“I'll miss you Mr. Gavin.”

In the final weeks of his life, a parent spoke of Gavin reaching out and offering support for her own daughter’s medical issues:

"So dedicated and kind … I had no idea of the extent of his illness. In my email I was chronicling my daughter's own medical issues. Not only did he respond, but he offered help and best wishes for my daughter's recovery. What an outstanding person! He was an example to us all. Rest in peace.”

Dist. 218 spokesman Bob McParland described the mood at Richards and around the district as heartbroken, where Gavin was highly respected by colleagues, parents and students.

“Matt was an extraordinary person and such a talented, devoted educator,” McParland said. “Despite his gifts, he carried himself with great humility.”

Matthew Aaron Gavin was born on Jan. 22, 1981. A graduate of the University of Iowa, he taught social studies and coached tennis and the scholastic bowl at Richards High School for nine years. He was also the grandson of the late, long-time Worth Township clerk, Thomas "Bud" Gavin, who died in 2012.

Gavin leaves his wife, Kate, and infant daughter, Clare; his parents, Dr. Glenn R. and Mary Ellen Gavin; sister, Sarah Gavin; his parents-in-law, Dr. James and Elizabeth Wymore; brother in-law of Alex Rausch and Lauren Wymore; his grandmother, Lila Gavin; and many extended family members and friends.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday at Adams-Winterfield & Sullivan Funeral Home, 4343 Main St. (1 blk. S. of Ogden) Downers Grove.

Funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Matthew Gavin’s memory to Misercordia/Heart of Mercy Center, 6300 North Ridge Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660.

More information can be found at www.adamswinterfieldsullivan.com.

Condolences can also be left for Matt Gavin's family on the funeral home’s online guest book.