Birth date: Dec 3, 1974 Death date: Jun 3, 2025
Matthew Robert Lappa, age 50, passed away on June 3, 2025. Matt was born on December 3, 1974, to Robert and Betty Lappa in Cleveland, Ohio. Matt was a loving husband, son, brother and uncle. He was a friend to all who knew him. H Read Obituary
Matt will always have a special place in our lives, and his love of Godzilla, dragons, and the color red will remain with us.
We are Fred and Mary and have been friends with the Lappa family
for many years. Near the end of Matt and Kelly's wedding reception, Mary and I started walking toward him on the dance floor to say goodbye, let him know that we were honored to attend the wedding and reception, and thank Matt for inviting us to share his beautiful, important day. Matt was having a great time dancing with a group of his friends when he noticed us and immediately stopped dancing and came to us and REPEATEDLY so very graciously thanked us for coming and talked to us for quite a while as he was in no hurry to get back on the dance floor with his close friends. We have attended many wedding receptions in the past and have never received this kind of attention from a bride or groom when leaving. We knew Matt was a very caring person but could see at this time that he was an exceptionally caring, thankful and loving person! We were sorry, Kelly, that we could not find you at that time to thank you along with Matt but have a feeling that Matt shared our appreciation with you. This sweet little boy we had met and watch grow up became the exceptionally loving and caring man he was meant to be to all those who crossed his path here. Inspirational memories of him will continue to inspire us and countless other people.
I didn’t have the honor of knowing Matt personally, but I had the privilege of working with him and his fiancée, Kelly, for their wedding. From the moment I met them, I could tell they were two of the kindest and most genuine souls I’d ever worked with, and I’ve worked with over a thousand couples.
As we prepared for their wedding, I had the chance to speak with Kelly and Matt several times. Those conversations weren’t just about the music or the schedule, they became personal. I shared parts of my own life story with them, something I rarely do, because I felt such a strong connection on a human level. They were so open, so warm, and it made me feel like I wasn’t just their DJ. I was someone they trusted and welcomed into their lives.
On their wedding day, Kelly and Matt arrived at the venue before their guests. They gave me a hug and told me how excited they were. It was clear that to them, this day wasn’t about fancy meals or flashy clothes. It was about making a lifelong promise to each other. Watching them in that moment was something truly special.
Then, as we sat together on a couch by the bar, they handed me a bag. Inside was a heartfelt letter and a pocket watch. I’m not going to share the words of that letter here, but I will say that the pocket watch and the letter were deeply meaningful, and that gesture captured exactly who they were. Here I was, there to work for them, and they were thinking about me and giving me a gift. I was in tears, I told Kelly and Matt they’d turned me into an emotional wreck. But those tears were a testament to just how much that moment meant to me.
In this job, so many weddings blur together. But Kelly and Matt’s wedding will always stand out in my heart. I will never forget their first dance, the love that surrounded them that night, and the pure joy on their faces. I feel truly blessed to have been part of such a special day.
My heart is heavy with the news of Matt’s passing. I can’t imagine the pain that Kelly and their families are feeling right now. Please know that I am holding you all close in my thoughts and prayers. I will carry the memory of Matt experiencing the happiest day of his life with me always. Though I can’t be there in person for the service, I will be playing Kelly and Matt’s first dance song at all of my weddings this weekend, a small tribute to a love that touched so many.
May God bless and comfort you all.
With all my gratitude and deepest sympathy
Ryan
Ohio DJ Pros
