Spread the news
SAVE & SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Matthew Tozer: Loving, Faithful Teen Remembered
Tags: accident, erma, Matthew Ryan Tozer, moped, Technical School.
Home page, friends play a song during services for Matthew Ryan Tozer. Left, displays show the teen as devoted and loving son, brother, friend, boyfriend and uncle.
ERMA — Hundreds of friends came out Saturday morning to celebrate the life and mourn the death of Matthew Ryan Tozer — a young man well-loved for his quiet warmth and sense of humor, his “goofy” smile, and for never saying a harsh word about anyone.
Pews were filled to overflowing and persons stood at the back of the large worship space at the Seashore Church of the Nazarene on Seashore Road here for a service that started at 11 a.m. and included some of Matthew’s favorite songs, as well as young and old sharing memories of the young man who everyone said cared more about others than about himself.
“He would be surprised,” to see so many people here, said one friend, as he never would have thought he touched so many lives.
But one by one, young people stood up and spoke about how he’d been the one to welcome them to a lunch table at the Cape May County Technical School, or the one to give them a warm hug whenever they greeted, or the one who made them feel befriended and accepted, regardless of their piercings.
Tozer, 16, was killed June 10 on Route 83 in Dennis Township when a car being driven by Charles A. Nailie, 62, of Court House, struck Tozer on his moped. Nailie was arrested for driving under the influence and charged with aggravated assault by auto, driving while intoxicated and related vehicle offenses. He was remanded to county jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Matthew’s mother, Linda, told those assembled not to be angry.
“Don’t be angry with God,” she said. “Don’t be angry with the person who did this …” she added.
Tozer was a sophomore carpentry student at the Technical School. He was good with his hands, was always fiddling with his moped, which he loved, and could fix anything, friends and family said. His father wrote in a memory book on display that this ability constantly “amazed” him, recalling a time his son took an old wheel from a Big Wheel and used it to fix the broken lawnmower.
True to his fix-it ability, Tozer always had duct tape on him, one friend said, to many laughs.
Tozer had long hair and blue eyes; his girlfriend Amanda described him as gentle and loyal.
“I loved him — when he smiled those blue eyes just lit up,” she said. When he'd say goodbye, she said, "I never wanted to let go."
Tozer had a deep faith in Jesus. He was on his way to his Bible study group on his moped the night he died, his former teacher said.
His last project in his carpentry class was a beautifully crafted box made of fine wood with a lid inlaid with what looked like maple and walnut in the form of a contemporary cross. He was actively involved in The Lighthouse Church Youth Group and helped at Alternate Destination, a place for teens with a Christian emphasis. He was planning on traveling to Mexico this summer on a mission trip.
He made others feel comfortable, and always had a smile on his face.
Tozer’s father, Rodger, wrote: “For a shy kid, I never knew anyone more comfortable talking to strangers …”
“He was an unusual boy,” his mother’s cousin Grace Leaming, told The Herald.
For complete story, see The Herald June 18 print edition.
MOST POPULAR - (Within past 5 days)
Calendar search
more topicsMOST RECENT SPOUT OFFS
RON PAUL NOW
Posts: 0 | Views: 30
Cia.gov down again
Posts: 0 | Views: 28
we do not forgive we do not f...
Posts: 5 | Views: 328
more homes TOP HOMES
For rent: Wildwood $1 1 bed 1
For rent: Wildwood $1 1 bed 1 bath...For rent: Lower Township $850 2 beds 1
For rent: Lower Township $850 2 beds 1 bath...For rent: Stone Harbor $9,500 1 bed 1
For rent: Stone Harbor $9,500 1 bed 1 bath...
more classifieds TOP CLASSIFIEDS
Restaurant- Harry's
Restaurant- Harry's Ocean Bar Grille Cape May Successful seasonal high volume family restaurant...Office- FRONT DESK Cape May
Office- FRONT DESK Cape May Day Spa has opening for individual who enjoys working with people and...Trades/Maintenance- CUSTODIAL/
Trades/Maintenance- CUSTODIAL/ MAINTENANCE POSITION Day shift, 40 hrs./week. Black Seal License. P...
Login or register to post comments
Comments (21)
We welcome your thoughts, stories and information related to this article. Read our "Policies and Standards for Comments". Please report comments which do not comply with Policies and Standards. When you are logged-in, you will see a "Flag as offensive" button next to each comment.
Tue, 03/31/2009 - 5:50pm - Posted by: Anonymous
There isn't ONE day that i don't think about Matt.
He was such a wonderful guy and i miss him so much.
It's been about 10 months, and i still can't accept that he's never coming back.
He still lives in my heart, and in my dreams.
He's changed me so quickly, and i hope he knows how much everyone misses him.
Mon, 09/22/2008 - 4:58pm - Posted by: Anonymous
i wake up every day and think the same thing he's gone now so what now well matt was the one person who touched my heart so much that i still cry for him know if anyone still reads these on wensday at 5:30 pm i will being putting a cross up where he was hit for him. at this we will have a bucket for donations ift will go to moped army please come out and help the cause
Sun, 09/21/2008 - 10:29am - Posted by: Anonymous
Its the second week of school and all of a sudden everyday i think about it. We keep fighting the good fight barly scrape by. We need you more than ever now. I miss you and cant wait to se you again. Hust thinking and remembering you brings tears to my eyes. But You have done miricals in life and death. When i see you again i hope i can say i continued your work. WE all love and miss you. See you soon. -a friend
Sun, 09/07/2008 - 1:44am - Posted by: Anonymous
It's almost been three months. There was less pain in august but it's all coming back again because of the beginning of school. Picking up where it left off. The funeral did help alot though, just hearing everyones memories of him made me feel better. I didn't say anything, I would've broke down crying.
I wish I did..
Wed, 08/13/2008 - 8:48pm - Posted by: Anonymous
its been 2 months now,
and i miss him like crazy.
he might not be here
but his ministry lives on.
theres many things ive been tempted to do since the accident,
but i know matt wouldnt approve.
i loved him so much as a brother.
its gonna suck not seeing him in school
and not having him and James push me whenever they saw me
or the night i walked to my grandmoms and he jumped me. :P
matt, you are amazing.
i know you live on.
Thu, 07/10/2008 - 12:57pm - Posted by: Anonymous
It's been a whole month, and it still hurts the same.
I miss him so much.
We barely knew eachother, but he helped me when i needed someone to talk to.
He was so beautiful. And i'll never forget this.
-Mar
Wed, 07/09/2008 - 6:57pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Matt and I are somewhat bestfriends with each other. I loved to watch him grow and I can't wait to see my fellow moped lover once again. Love to all his family, friends and aquaintances. Miss you, Tozer.
Wed, 07/09/2008 - 5:03pm - Posted by: Anonymous
I attended the funerel, and it was so great to see how many people showed up, how many friends he had, and how many people said wonderful things about the times they had with him. Only his close friends got to see him in his coffin, but i couldn't because i was only a sister of his friend. But my prayers are with his family and friends
-Jessica Wright
Wed, 07/09/2008 - 4:59pm - Posted by: Anonymous
i miss u so much matt tozer. I miss you coming to my house to do stuff with rayray, sleeping over, fixing each others mopeds, and just chilling on our couch. I miss u hanging with raymond. You guys had the best and craziest times together, but your in heaven now with jesus, helping him!!
-Jessica Wright
Wed, 06/25/2008 - 11:48am - Posted by: Anonymous
matt was one of my friends and i miss him so much. matt of all people didnt deserve this and i know how hard it is for everyone to go through this. i went to the funeral and i knew that his family was very strong into faith but it blew me away that his mother was so strong. matt touched my life so much and i know that i wouldnt be the same person without him. he will always be in my heart.
Sat, 06/21/2008 - 8:00pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Matt, your my toaster and always will be on earth or in heaven. I know your watching upon me and many of our friends. I can picture your smile. I am praying for the Tozer family. I love you guys a lot and will do anything to help.
With love,
Eileen Waddell
Sat, 06/21/2008 - 2:14am - Posted by: Anonymous
i was at his funeral, in the front row.
matt had many friends, and eveyone had something good to say about him
we love you matt
Wed, 06/18/2008 - 12:17am - Posted by: Anonymous
i was at the funeral, matt was an amazing friend. hes missed by many.
Mon, 06/16/2008 - 2:08pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Blessings to everyone who was touched by Matt. I never knew him, but am awed by his testimony. Blessing and peace to his family who are still mourning. My heart grieves for you.
Mon, 06/16/2008 - 10:56am - Posted by: Anonymous
I was at the funeral and was good friends with matt. Matt i will miss you and i love you. We wil all se you soo and well be together forever. HAVE THAT MOPED READY FOR ME MAN. -Ken
Mon, 06/16/2008 - 9:06am - Posted by: Anonymous
What a lovely tribute to such a great kid. My prayers are with the family, his friends & his girlfriend.
Mon, 06/16/2008 - 12:29am - Posted by: Anonymous
Matt was only 2 when I left Cape May for Alaska. I remmeber how frail he was but I knew with Roger and Linda as his parents that Matt would grow up to be a man of God. Roger and Linda are people of God. You can't help but notice when you meet them that they have been touched by Jesus in a meaningful way. Hard workers, humble people, and well liked by everyone who knows them. I was privileged to know them for a short period of time. I saw them grow up, get married and start their family. Those days were hard times for them, but they never complained. They were always reaching out to help someone else. I miss not seeing them and fellowshiping with them. Those of you who are reading this are probably wondering why I am writing about them. I'm writing about them because when you see them, you see Matt, and when you saw Matt, you saw them. Though Matt is gone, they remain, and it will be tough for them for a very long while. Everytime they see a family friend they will think of Matt and cry some more.
It is not strange for them to reach out to the person who created this tragedy and try and comfort him, when it is they who need comforting. For those of you who do not know Jesus, hopefully you will realize that their reaching out to the driver is exactly what Jesus would do. Those of you who don't know Jesus will want revenge and will have bitterness in your heart. I suggest to you that you don't let Matt die in vain, but ask the Lord what He would have you do at this time. Harboring anger and resentment in your hearts is not Jesus' way. Matt's death has a purpose more than just going to live forever with the Lord. It is to show others the love of Jesus at a time when hearts are breaking and relief never seems to come. Only Christians can celebrate death of a loved one. It is not a good thing for parents to have their children die before they do. Shirley and I lost our youngest son to cancer a couple of years ago. It was very hard hard for us, but not as hard as this must be for Linda and Roger. Our son was 44 so he had a life, but Matt hadn't even reached his prime. From what I have been reading, he had a great influence on many people, letting the light of Jesus shine wherever he went. You may have thought and perhaps still think that Matt was one of those rare people with a dynamic personal charm. You would be correct, but where do you think that came from? It came from the Jesus within his parents and their training Matt "up in the way he should go". So, all of you who have written and/or have read, take notice that a very special person has passed this way, and since you admire him so much, honor him by copying him. Honor his parents for their contribution to Matt's upbringing. It wasn't an accident that Matt was the way he was. If you loved Matt as you say you do, then be like him. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, so imitate him. Reach out to each other and to others who are starving for Jesus' Love which Matt so ably showed forth. Reach out to Roger and Linda and Crystal and the rest of their family. And for you Roger and Linda, my prayer for you is, "Jesus, I call upon you now to reach out your loving arms and envelope Roger and Linda with those arms and with Your never ending love. Continue to show them how much you care for them. I ask that you bless this seemingly sad event and turn it into a revival for your kingdom. Let everyone who has commented on these pages , or who reads them, come to know you in a personal way and I ask the Holy Spirit to draw them to you and your salvation. May this event build your kingdom and may all bitterness pass to be replaced by Your love. And, one more thing ,Jesus. Please help us all take stock of ourselves and ask ourselves this question. If Matt hadn't died would the world be a better place tomorrow? That answer is obviously, yes! However, since that is not the case, show us what we must do to make it a better place as you know Your friend Matt was making it. I ask this in Jesus' name, and also say the AMEN! George & Shirley in Alaska.
Sun, 06/15/2008 - 6:05pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Its a sad tragedy. I am happy that this article was printed. The name of Jesus was printed. Its what that family and Matt were all about--living for God.
I admire the courage it stakes to ask everyone not to blame God or the man who caused this -he is going to be handled by the law. It will only hurt Matt's family and friends more to hold onto bitterness and anger.
I hope that they all find joy and comfort at this time.
Sat, 06/14/2008 - 8:43pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Matt I miss & love you
Sat, 06/14/2008 - 8:41pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Matt was one of my friends. And i miss him so much. I don't understand why drivers still drink before they drive. This is what happens. I just wish people would understand that this stuff would happen. If they did, maybe Matt would still be here. But people still don't realize it. So many people have lost their lives to alcohol. I never thought one of my friends would. I miss you Matt. & i love you
Sat, 06/14/2008 - 5:49pm - Posted by: Anonymous
I attended the funeral and was amazed at the stregnth of his family. His mom and dad are so strong not shedding a tear. I guess they are just numb or because they know where he is and that they will see him again. I admire you for not being angry with the man who did this, you both are a true example of what a christian is. GOD BLESS YOU!