Bay Shore Grad Serving In Air National Guard Dies In Snowboarding Fall

BAY SHORE, NY — A Bay Shore man serving in the Maryland Air National Guard died in a snowboarding fall at an indoor ski facility at The Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey.

Peter Mathews, 24, of Bay Shore, fell Thursday night as he snowboarded down a slope at the Big Snow American Dream, located inside the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, his family told Newsday. He was reportedly preparing for a vacation with friends.

He fell backward and hit his head, leaving him unconscious and struggling to breathe, said Sarah Mathews, his sister. A friend who is a registered nurse, along with EMTs at the facility, performed CPR including chest compressions, she told Newsday.

He was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center, where he died, Mathews said.

In a statement to Patch, Big Snow confirmed that their ski patrol responded to a guest incident on Thursday evening, but did not state their name for privacy.

"First aid was administered, and the guest was transported to a local hospital for further care," said a spokesperson for Big Snow."Our thoughts are with this guest’s family at this time."

Mathews was an Airman First Class in the Maryland Air National Guard, which he joined in 2020, Maryland Air National Guard told Patch.

He had dreams of eventually becoming a pilot for a commercial airline, like his father, Sarah Mathews said.

He was part of the 175th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, where he was currently serving on orders until his passing. Wing, which made a statement on social media after his passing.

Earlier this year, Mathews mobilized with his squadron and A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft from the 104th Fighter Squadron to support two U.S. Army Europe-led exercises in Eastern Europe: Swift Response and Defender Europe 22, they said. He was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal for his accomplishments during those exercises.

“Peter was genuinely an amazing person, and his smile lit up the room. If you had a chance to talk to him, you knew instantly he had a remarkable future and was destined for greatness,” said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Golabiewski, 175th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron senior enlisted leader. “He was in the process of following in his father’s footsteps to become a pilot. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and anyone who knew Peter.”

A 2016 graduate of Bay Shore High School, Mathews attended Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology adjacent to LaGuardia Airport as he started to pursue his goal of becoming a pilot, his sister said. Then he joined the Air National Guard.

"Everyone at the Bay Shore School District is saddened to learn of the passing of one of our graduates," said Superintendent Dr. Steven J. Maloney in a statement to Patch. "Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

A Meal Train, a fundraiser that organizes meal giving around significant life events, has been created for the Mathews family.

A wake is scheduled Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Moloney’s Bohemia Funeral Home. A funeral will take place there Monday, Dec. 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.