Matthew William Barnes

Matthew William Barnes
Scotia, NY –

Matthew W Barnes, 27, passed away Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Saratoga Hospital after a brief, unexpected illness. His passing truly defined, “with family and friends by his side”.
Matthew was born April 2, 1998, the son of Ronald W. Barnes of Minerva and Janette M. Wood of Scotia. A truly honorable and loved young man, destined for greatness, but now in God’s guiding hands.

Matt graduated from Scotia-Glenville Senior High School, class of 2016. He participated in the school orchestra, playing violin from fourth grade at Glen Worden Elementary School through his senior year.  He played Modified Lacrosse and was active in community volunteer programs. Matthew furthered his education by achieving an associate in applied science degree in Fire Protection Technologies at SUNY Schenectady in 2019.

Matthew joined Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in third grade, entering as a “Lone Scout” Cub Scout, and earned his Bear Badge. As he continued his Scout journey, Matt earned the Arrow of Light and advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout in 2016, via BSA Boy Scout Troop 3357 (Schenectady) and Troop 4030 (Vischer Ferry).  His Eagle Scout project was designing and building cedar slow feeders for hay used by the Saratoga Therapeutic Equestrian Program, Glenville, NY.  At his Eagle Court of Honor, Town of Glenville Supervisor Christopher Koetzle declared March 25, 2017, as “Matthew Barnes Day”.

Matthew was confirmed at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Scotia. Matt devoted many youth hours to church driven ministries and still held family connections to the congregation.
Following a childhood dream that began at two years old, Matthew joined the Beukendaal Fire Department Explorer Program in 2012 and since age 18 continued membership as an enthusiastic and dedicated Volunteer Firefighter. Building a dedicated work ethic, Matthew’s career path began with BJs Wholesale Club (Rotterdam), Home Depot (Clifton Park), and Tractor Supply (Clifton Park) before starting his current employment in 2020 with the Target Warehouse (Amsterdam), on the ICQA Inventory Management team.
Matt truly built a large “family by choice”, enjoying Magic: The Gathering with his Target family.  He was invited into the lives of every friend he made.

Lastly, Matt was a family-oriented soul. Always helping his mother and grandparents from an early age onward. Matthew was the man of the house from age seven when he moved to Scotia with his mother. He enjoyed every opportunity to visit family, and meeting his baby cousin Jordyn. The outpouring of love and support from family, his Fire Dept and friends, on just an hour’s notice to come to his side and say their goodbyes was overwhelming and will not be forgotten.

Matthew is survived by his Mother, Janette Wood of Scotia, NY; Father, Ronald Barnes of Minerva, NY; Grandfather, Kenneth A Wood; Grandparents, Charles W. and Reba J. Barnes; Uncles: William A. (Cathy) Wood; Tim W. (Treva) Barnes; Jeff T. (Sue) Barnes; and close cousins Kenneth C. (Kacy) Wood; Brianna H. (Meet) Patel; Tiffany A Barnes, Kaleigh R. (Zach ) Van Amburgh; Taylor (Jarred) Pullard, and baby cousins Jordyn M. Wood, Camryn R. Wood, and Asher Patel.

Matthew was welcomed into heaven by his maternal Grandmother Carm A. Wood, loving Great Aunts and Great Uncles, and two infant cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 1 p.m., at Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, 103 S. Reynolds St., Scotia, NY 12302.  A Last Call and reception will follow at the Beukendaal Volunteer Fire Department, 501 Sacandaga Road, Scotia, NY 12302. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be directed to Twin Rivers Council, BSA. 253 Washington Ave Ext., Albany, NY 12305, The Beukendaal Fire Department, 501 Sacandaga Road, Scotia, NY 12302, and S.T,E.P. PO box -2918, Glenville, NY 12325-0918.

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