Matthew Rene Silvestrini, 38, of Westbrook, loving husband, father and son, died Saturday, Dec. 3, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on December 24, 1983, in Hartford, the son of Marc and Lucille (Rossignol) Silvestrini, and was raised in the Higganum section of Haddam where he attended District 17 schools and Middlesex Community College.

He was a decorated veteran of the Iraq War, having enlisted in the U.S. Army Infantry in 2003 as a direct result of the 9/11 tragedy. He served two separate deployments in Iraq, the first with the 4 ^th Infantry Division in Fallujah in 2004. He served his second tour with the 2 ^nd Infantry Division in Ramadi in 2005 where he was a turret gun operator. He was honorably discharged in May of 2006, having received the following awards: two Army Commendation Medals, an Army Achievement Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, an Army Service Ribbon, an Overseas Service Ribbon, an Iraq Campaign Medal and a Combat Infantry Badge, of which he was the most proud.

He joined the New Haven Police Department in May of 2008 and worked there for five years, serving on the department's SWAT team as both a sniper and a breacher. He transferred to the Middletown Police Department in 2012 where he served as a patrol officer, receiving two letters of commendation. He also served as a sniper on the Middletown Emergency Response Team and worked on the entry team as a breacher, before ultimately becoming a firearms instructor.

He was an avid and accomplished competitor in the world of endurance sports, having competed in high-level triathlons, ironman triathlons, marathons and extreme endurance races both domestically and abroad. He competed in events like the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, which included a 1.5-mile swim across the frigid waters of San Francisco Bay, The Tahoe 200, a 200-mile single loop trail race with over 40,000 feet of climbing through the thick wilderness surrounding Lake Tahoe in Nevada, and the Iceland Extreme Triathlon, a 70.3 mile test through icy waters and extremely adverse weather conditions, where he finished 6 ^th overall in a field of top international competitors.

A passionate fitness and work-out enthusiast, Matt never met a trail he couldn't hike, a mountain he couldn't climb or a gym in which he couldn't wear out the equipment. Moreover, he was always willing to share his extensive knowledge of training and fitness issues with anyone willing to put in the required effort. He also maintained a life-long affinity and appreciation for the state's forest lands through which he frequently ran and never failed to find peace and contentment.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Ashley (Gilbert) Silvestrini of Westbrook; a daughter, Abby, 11; and a son, Walker, 9. He is also survived by his parents, now of Westbrook; two brothers and their wives, Joseph Silvestrini and Marta Coelho-Silvestrini, of Durham; and Michael and Brittany (Linares) Silvestrini, of Chester; his father- and mother-in-law, Matthew and Joanne (Botti) Gilbert of Middletown; a brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law, James and Jacqueline (Gilbert) Armstrong of Middlefield and Rebecca Gilbert of Middletown; and six nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor Matt at a private service. There are no calling hours. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com .