Matthew Michael Paulson, 29, of Barrington, IL, tragically died Thursday morning, November 2, 2017, while rebuilding a concrete traffic signal manhole in Park City, IL in Lake County. A distracted driver veered off the road and struck Matthew as he worked.

Matt was born on June 14th, 1988, in Barrington, IL and was a lifelong area resident. He graduated from Barrington High School in 2006. After attending Illinois State University for one year, and Harper College the next year, Matt found his passion in the electrical vocation. He began pursuing a career as a union electrician for Home Towne Electric in Lake Villa, IL, where he was promoted to foreman in 2014.

Matt recently became a journeyman electrician, and was actively studying to become a state certified electrician. He was a member of IBEW Local Union 9, was passionate about his work, and exemplified the spirit of service before self.

Matt was beloved by family and friends for his hearty laugh and electric smile that could light up a room. His prominent bright blonde eyebrows were the topic of many conversations. Matt was always happy to see those he loved, and shared his contagious happiness and laughter with everyone he met.

Matt was very active, and loved dirt biking, motorcycling, fishing, boating, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and snowboarding. He also took great pride in his vehicles, from his high school red truck “Chevy Cheyenne” to his most recent sporty Subaru WRX.

Matt had a very inquisitive mind, and was fascinated by new technology and exploration of the cosmos. His long commutes to work were scored by hundreds of hours of educational radio shows and comedy podcasts.

Like the rest of his family, Matt appreciated a job done right. As Matt’s girlfriend Sara Saylor lovingly remembers, Matt would frequently point out traffic signals that he had proudly worked on or that he thought could have been done better.

He is survived by his mother and father, Babs (Hardt) Paulson and Michael Paulson; younger brother Lee Paulson; older sister Amanda Paulson (m. Zach Benkowski); paternal grandmother Carma Tucker; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his aunt Cheryl (Hardt) Puryear, and grandparents John Paulson, and Jean and Edward Hardt.

A visitation will be held from 3-8 PM Friday, November 10, at Justen Funeral Home, 3700 W. Charles J. Miller Road in McHenry. Visitation will begin at 9-10 AM on Saturday November 11, the service will at 10 AM at the same location.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Matthew M. Paulson may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children.

For information, please call the funeral home at 815-385-2400, or visit www.justenfh.com, where friends may leave an on-line condolence message for Matt’s family.

Funeral Home:
Justen Funeral Home & Crematory
3700 Charles J Miller Road
McHenry, IL
United States 60050