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Willsboro, NY                                         October 2, 2011                                           since 1905

Taken Too Soon

Sudden, Shocking Loss to the Camp Family

     Matt Potel, long-time Pok-O-MacCready camper and counselor, fell to his death September 30, while with friends during a climb on the Trap Dyke of Mount Colden.
Potel1     Potel, 22,  was leading seven students on a backcountry hike during a university-sanctioned camping trip to the Adirondack high peaks.

    The news shocked friends and family, including the camp family.  “We are totally devastated by the loss of Matt,” said camp Director Sharp Swan, two days following the tragedy.
     “Matt was a wonderful person, a great counselor, and loved by all of the kids.   The smile that he shows off on his 46er finish photo is a smile that we, at camp, got to witness day in and day out.  That’s the way we always knew him, and that’s the way we’ll always remember him.”
     More camp tributes may be found below, while others,, numbering in the hundreds, appear on Potel’s Facebook page.

     A service was held in Matt’s honor on Tuesday, October 4th, at 1pm. at the Temple Israel of Northern Westchester, Croton-on-Hudson, New York.  The estimated 400 attendees included over 50 friends from Pok-O-MacCready. 
     The Potel family has issued the following statement:

    “Matthew Daniel Potel was an extraordinary individual who always wore a charismatic and friendly smile. He brought joy and confidence to all those he met with his exuberant energy and caring attitude.
     “Matt was wise beyond his years, an excellent student, and a very loving son, brother and grandson. He was luckPotel3y enough to find his life's passion as a young teenager. Matt found peace and happiness in the natural world, and was trained in wilderness and leadership skills at the National Outdoor Leadership School.
     “He generously shared his love of the outdoors with countless friends at his beloved summer camp, Pok-O-MacCready. This camp is also where he became a 46er, meaning he hiked the 46 highest peaks in the state of New York.
     “As president of the Binghamton University Outdoors Club, Matt was able to help others find the beauty of our earth. Matt's tragic death occurred while he was doing exactly what he loved, hiking in the Adirondacks with his University club.
     “As he was assisting his friends across a dangerous ravine, he slipped and fell and died a hero. There is no place that Matt would rather end his time on this planet than in the Adirondacks mountains, surrounded by his friends and the nature that made his life so bright.”

   In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that all who are able please donate to the Adirondack Scholarship Foundation. “This is a cause that Matt considered very important.”

Reprinted in part from lohud.com

Read more news stories at Matt’s memorial web site

WHAT OTHERS FROM POK-O-MacCREADY ARE SAYING
 

I wish the grief would go away when the sun comes out, but I know it won't. But I don't mind. We will change the sadness into something else. Every day I will think of you, smile, and remember all of the wonderful things you taught me and all of the wonderful things you taught others. I will remember your costumes, your laugh, your too-small Ramones t-shirt, your spirit of adventure, your kindness..., and your ability to look at life in the most positive way. I will remember the time we got separated on Bare mountain in the dark and how I wanted to scream at you but was too happy to see your face. I will remember your voice and how you told ME that you liked how I sang non-stop, and all I could do was hold up an imaginary mirror. You are immortal because of these things you have left behind. You are immortal because you are still a role model for campers, counselors, peers, and adults. You are still my role model. RIP Matt Potel
 

It’s been difficult, but we now move forward, and keep living, just the way Matty would have wanted us to. We move on carrying the lessons that he has taught us all, and we aspire to be half the person he was. He lived in every single moment of life, treated people with true and genuine kindness, and had joy in absolutely everything he did. You are and forever will be sorely missed, but absolutely never forgotten. Whenever I think of you, a smile will come to my face. You truly were a hero, and from the bottom of my heart, I love you and miss you. We all do. Rest In Peace.
 

Matt Potel really impacted everyone he met. it was an honor to know him and i know all the love and support of all the people whose lives he changed, goes out to the lovely and graceful Potel family.
 

Potel, your smile was amazing and inspiring. Your heart as big as anyone I have ever encountered. You filled up a room, brother and the world just got a bit colder without you. I only wish you could have shared your passion for the outdoors and for living with a few more people.
 

I'm reminded of one of my favorite Thoreau quotes from Walden...and I think Matt would've liked it too. "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." Matt truly sought the most from life. In doing so, not only did Matt discover a passion, but he then shared his love with others. I feel privileged to have known such an enthusiastic, generous man. You'll be forever in our hearts.     All my love to the Potel family.
 

I can’t think of a memory of Matt that doesn’t make me smile. I feel lucky to have spent so many summers with him at the place we both love so much. This is such a devastating loss. You will be forever loved and missed by your Poko family. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Potel family.
 

I wont ever forget working with Matt. He was a kind, sensitive and deeply intelligent guy. I can remember watching him help Sammy O through homesickness in his first year. I think I most appreciated how funny he could be. He was a wonderful counselor and an even better person.
 

Everytime I think of you I can't help but smile. I feel like I've been cheated out of time with you, as I'm sure we all do, but in the end I'm just so glad to have known you at all. You will always be vibrant in my heart and in my mind.
 

Matt, I will always remember teaching hours and hours of swimming together and how positive you were even as the pios came screaming down the hill. You were composed and intuitive beyond your years and I enjoyed all of our conversations. You have made me smile so many times and I thank you for that. May it always be candy store where you are now. RIP.
 

Rest in Peace Matt Potel. I have had so many wonderful summers with you. I will forever remember the endless hours we spent swapping stories, 5 minute mysteries, and songs, while you guys tried to convince me that really I would like spam. I'll try it soon. I promise. Your energy is infectious and you are loved by many. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I love and miss you.
 

Matt was my Pioneer section counselor for one year. He was nice, he was friendly and I liked having him as my counselor. I'm sad and I'm sorry. I will miss him.

Matt, you had a heart of gold, you will always always always be a part of my camp family.
 

I will miss you so much, i will never forget you coming on my finish and the happiness it brought to me, I remember you being my counselor and you were proably my favorite one. I will miss you so much matt while I write this in tears REST IN PEACE MATT POTEL
 

Today I raise a glass to you Matt Potel, I hope every mountain you climb has a beautiful view.
 

“Matt, may your sun always be shining in the skies above. We miss you.”
 

"Somehow I know, we'll meet again
Not sure quite where and I don't know just when
You're in my heart so until then
Wanna smile
Wanna cry
Saying goodbye"

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