It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of our beloved son, Matthew Nicholas Zadroga. A blessing from God, “The best big brother in the world,” Matthew’s kindness and generosity to family, friends and strangers knew no limits. He always gave the best big hugs. Matthew was born in Spotswood NJ and moved to …
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It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of our beloved son, Matthew Nicholas Zadroga.
A blessing from God, “The best big brother in the world,” Matthew’s kindness and generosity to family, friends and strangers knew no limits. He always gave the best big hugs.
Matthew was born in Spotswood NJ and moved to Holmdel, NJ at the age of nine where he was a member of the Saint Catharine’s parish youth group, volunteering for special needs CCD. After attending Holmdel HS and The College of New Jersey, Matthew found his own home in Tinton Falls, NJ.
Matthew, “DRAGO” grew his family as a member of his beloved Monmouth Rugby Football Club, where he played for several years and served as an officer. He loved golf and spent many rounds playing in various autism charity events in honor of his brother.
Beloved son of Carla and Scott Zadroga and “best big brother” to Jake Zadroga.
Mattthew is predeceased by his grandparents Lina and Natale D’Elisiis and John and Doris Zadroga. He is survived by a host of loving relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 2 from 1pm – 5pm at Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, November 3 at 9:15am at the Church of St. Catharine, 108 Middletown Road, Holmdel. Entombment will follow at St. Gabriel Mausoleum, Marlboro.
In lieu of traditional remembrances, Matthew’s family asks with gratitude that donations in his memory be made to DOORS (www.doorsnj.org/donate.html)
For messages of condolences, or to share a favorite memory of Matthew, please visit his page of tribute at www.HolmdelFuneralHome.com.
Lisa Cain
left a message on November 6, 2025:
In memory of Matthew Nicholas Zadroga, Lisa Cain lit a candle
Lauren
left a message on November 4, 2025:
In memory of Matthew Nicholas Zadroga, Lauren lit a candle
Maureen Barsi
left a message on November 2, 2025:
In memory of Matthew Nicholas Zadroga, Maureen Barsi lit a candle
Dan Canson
left a message on November 2, 2025:
Love you brother. Thank you for sharing your love with us.
Carmine colasurdo
left a message on November 2, 2025:
Carla and family...we send our deepest love and condolences to you and your family, sending prayers of love and comfort to you..may the peace of God be with you all...The Colasurdo family
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Tariq Burrus
left a message on November 1, 2025:
I love you brother, I will forever cherish our memories and friendship for the remainder of my days. Rest well.
Tariq Burrus
left a message on November 1, 2025:
I love you drago. I’m thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Lori Cottrell
left a message on November 1, 2025:
Matt you have been one of Kevin's best friends since grammar school. You truly are a wonderful man. You are going to be missed so much. I'm going to miss seeing you at Shoprite when you would come in and get lunch. You always stopped by to give me a big hug. They were the best. Mr. And Mrs Zadroga our heartfelt condolences to you both. Our heart breaks for you and Jake. We love you Matt. RIP and always in our hearts.
Tim and Lori Cottrell
Kathy McBurnie
left a message on November 1, 2025:
I fondly remember Matt as a member of the St. Catharine's High School Youth Group. He was easy going and nice to everyone. His involvement earned him the honor of playing "Jesus" in the Living Stations of the Cross. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Katie Mancine
left a message on November 1, 2025:
My deepest condolences to Aunt Carla, Uncle Scott, and Jake.
Andrew Erker
left a message on November 1, 2025:
I knew Matt for just about ten years meeting him through various games we played online. We shared so many laughs and great times through the years and he will be greatly missed. RIP brother. my thoughts and prayers to all his friends and family
Steven Walier
left a message on October 31, 2025:
Drago was my first friend when joining MRFC. A fellow Holmdel grad. Took me under his wing to teach me the game and the right way to play it, with heart and relentless effort. Could never keep up with his level of effort though. A few years later I moved to New York and joined another club. We came back to Monmouth for a game and of course I was matched up across from Drago. I was quickly reminded of his attitude and determination. It was the first rugby game my girlfriend came to watch, and after the game she shows me a video. It’s Drago taking the ball from me, breaking my high tackle (which turned into a yellow), and taking it 60 meters the other way to score. She says “that’s the only video I got from the game… was that good”… Of course it brought a smile to my face. One of the hundreds of times Drago has brought a smile to my face. He will be greatly missed
Laura Sheehy
left a message on October 31, 2025:
I worked for Matt for almost 8 years at MBS Highway. He was the ultimate in fairness, steady and always available to assist.. a real gentleman and professional with the best laugh. Our sincerest condolences to the entire family, as I can only imagine the loss and his absence will mean to his family, who he spoke of often, especially his beloved mom. God rest his soul in eternal peace.
John Coffman
left a message on October 31, 2025:
I may have never met Matt in person but we surely became like brothers while gaming the last several years. You will deeply be missed
Bruno Lucarelli
left a message on October 31, 2025:
Matthew was a gentleman and a sweet guy. He stepped up as an organizer for The Monmouth Rugby Club Family and left his mark. Our family sends their sincerest condolences to the Zadroga's for this tragic loss. God Bless.
Carly Saunders
left a message on October 30, 2025:
In memory of Matthew Nicholas Zadroga, Carly Saunders lit a candle
Ceres Hobbs
left a message on October 30, 2025:
Oh Carla & Scott! I am so very sorry to hear of Matthew’s passing. May God comfort you, Jake and your family. Matthew was always so sweet and had the most beautiful smile.
Jennifer Wiberg
left a message on October 30, 2025:
My words cannot express how deeply sorry I am to learn of Mathew’s passing. The Zadroga family has been a part of my life for many many years. It was my privilege and honor to drive their son Jake to school for many years. And we have remained great friends since then.. I consider them my family and after losing a child of my own, I can tell you it’s the most difficult time anyone will ever know. Mathew was a great big brother to Jake, a wonderful son and accomplished young man.. so much so that it is difficult to write this. My heart and prayers are with the entire family. I love you all very much.. God bless you all
Jennifer and Bill Wiberg and Mike Kovacs
Francis Palumbo
left a message on October 30, 2025:
My brother! I'll cherish all the memories we've had together. You were an amazing person. Im so blessed that we met and you touched my life. You were always there for me. My condolences for the Zadroga family. God bless you.
Karen Shanley
left a message on October 30, 2025:
My Dear Friends...
Please know that we will Prayer for all your hearts at this time. You raised a Beautiful Son and the World was a Better place because of Matthew.
Always here for you in Thoughts & Prayers...xoxo. Karen
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
-
left a message on October 30, 2025:
Matt was a great person and everyone loved him. Straight forward good guy and very easy to be around
May God repose his Soul
Mike Fitz
left a message on October 30, 2025:
Zadroga was a brother to me, a groomsman in my wedding and the man I spent almost every football sunday for the last decade with. He will me missed greatly and always remembered.
Billy Dolan
left a message on October 30, 2025:
Rest in Peace Matt. Love you brotha
Tariq Burrus
left a message on October 30, 2025:
Matt was a dear friend of mine and will truly be missed. I love you brother, rest easy.
Ronan Patterson
left a message on October 30, 2025:
Heartfelt condolences to the Zadroga family and friends. I was lucky enough to play rugby with Drago — a great teammate and an even better person. He’ll be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege to know him. May he rest in peace
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Lisa Cain
left a message on November 6, 2025:
In memory of Matthew Nicholas Zadroga, Lisa Cain lit a candle
Lauren
left a message on November 4, 2025:
In memory of Matthew Nicholas Zadroga, Lauren lit a candle
Maureen Barsi
left a message on November 2, 2025:
In memory of Matthew Nicholas Zadroga, Maureen Barsi lit a candle
Dan Canson
left a message on November 2, 2025:
Love you brother. Thank you for sharing your love with us.
Carmine colasurdo
left a message on November 2, 2025:
Carla and family...we send our deepest love and condolences to you and your family, sending prayers of love and comfort to you..may the peace of God be with you all...The Colasurdo family
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Tariq Burrus
left a message on November 1, 2025:
I love you brother, I will forever cherish our memories and friendship for the remainder of my days. Rest well.
Tariq Burrus
left a message on November 1, 2025:
I love you drago. I’m thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Lori Cottrell
left a message on November 1, 2025:
Matt you have been one of Kevin's best friends since grammar school. You truly are a wonderful man. You are going to be missed so much. I'm going to miss seeing you at Shoprite when you would come in and get lunch. You always stopped by to give me a big hug. They were the best. Mr. And Mrs Zadroga our heartfelt condolences to you both. Our heart breaks for you and Jake. We love you Matt. RIP and always in our hearts.
Tim and Lori Cottrell
Kathy McBurnie
left a message on November 1, 2025:
I fondly remember Matt as a member of the St. Catharine's High School Youth Group. He was easy going and nice to everyone. His involvement earned him the honor of playing "Jesus" in the Living Stations of the Cross. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Katie Mancine
left a message on November 1, 2025:
My deepest condolences to Aunt Carla, Uncle Scott, and Jake.
Andrew Erker
left a message on November 1, 2025:
I knew Matt for just about ten years meeting him through various games we played online. We shared so many laughs and great times through the years and he will be greatly missed. RIP brother. my thoughts and prayers to all his friends and family
Steven Walier
left a message on October 31, 2025:
Drago was my first friend when joining MRFC. A fellow Holmdel grad. Took me under his wing to teach me the game and the right way to play it, with heart and relentless effort. Could never keep up with his level of effort though. A few years later I moved to New York and joined another club. We came back to Monmouth for a game and of course I was matched up across from Drago. I was quickly reminded of his attitude and determination. It was the first rugby game my girlfriend came to watch, and after the game she shows me a video. It’s Drago taking the ball from me, breaking my high tackle (which turned into a yellow), and taking it 60 meters the other way to score. She says “that’s the only video I got from the game… was that good”… Of course it brought a smile to my face. One of the hundreds of times Drago has brought a smile to my face. He will be greatly missed
Laura Sheehy
left a message on October 31, 2025:
I worked for Matt for almost 8 years at MBS Highway. He was the ultimate in fairness, steady and always available to assist.. a real gentleman and professional with the best laugh. Our sincerest condolences to the entire family, as I can only imagine the loss and his absence will mean to his family, who he spoke of often, especially his beloved mom. God rest his soul in eternal peace.
John Coffman
left a message on October 31, 2025:
I may have never met Matt in person but we surely became like brothers while gaming the last several years. You will deeply be missed
Bruno Lucarelli
left a message on October 31, 2025:
Matthew was a gentleman and a sweet guy. He stepped up as an organizer for The Monmouth Rugby Club Family and left his mark. Our family sends their sincerest condolences to the Zadroga's for this tragic loss. God Bless.
Carly Saunders
left a message on October 30, 2025:
In memory of Matthew Nicholas Zadroga, Carly Saunders lit a candle
Ceres Hobbs
left a message on October 30, 2025:
Oh Carla & Scott! I am so very sorry to hear of Matthew’s passing. May God comfort you, Jake and your family. Matthew was always so sweet and had the most beautiful smile.
Jennifer Wiberg
left a message on October 30, 2025:
My words cannot express how deeply sorry I am to learn of Mathew’s passing. The Zadroga family has been a part of my life for many many years. It was my privilege and honor to drive their son Jake to school for many years. And we have remained great friends since then.. I consider them my family and after losing a child of my own, I can tell you it’s the most difficult time anyone will ever know. Mathew was a great big brother to Jake, a wonderful son and accomplished young man.. so much so that it is difficult to write this. My heart and prayers are with the entire family. I love you all very much.. God bless you all
Jennifer and Bill Wiberg and Mike Kovacs
Francis Palumbo
left a message on October 30, 2025:
My brother! I'll cherish all the memories we've had together. You were an amazing person. Im so blessed that we met and you touched my life. You were always there for me. My condolences for the Zadroga family. God bless you.
Karen Shanley
left a message on October 30, 2025:
My Dear Friends...
Please know that we will Prayer for all your hearts at this time. You raised a Beautiful Son and the World was a Better place because of Matthew.
Always here for you in Thoughts & Prayers...xoxo. Karen
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
-
left a message on October 30, 2025:
Matt was a great person and everyone loved him. Straight forward good guy and very easy to be around
May God repose his Soul
Mike Fitz
left a message on October 30, 2025:
Zadroga was a brother to me, a groomsman in my wedding and the man I spent almost every football sunday for the last decade with. He will me missed greatly and always remembered.
Billy Dolan
left a message on October 30, 2025:
Rest in Peace Matt. Love you brotha
Tariq Burrus
left a message on October 30, 2025:
Matt was a dear friend of mine and will truly be missed. I love you brother, rest easy.
Ronan Patterson
left a message on October 30, 2025:
Heartfelt condolences to the Zadroga family and friends. I was lucky enough to play rugby with Drago — a great teammate and an even better person. He’ll be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege to know him. May he rest in peace
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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