An Irish festival founder and "deeply loved" pub owner in the US has died. Matthew “Matt” Francis Miller passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 6 in Wisconsin .
The 55-year-old "put his heart and soul" into founding the Oshkosh Irish Fest and the Oshkosh St Patrick’s Day Parade & Tent Party and Oshkosh Oktoberfest. In 2012, he co-founded the Irish Fest of the Fox Cities.
The festival quickly became a successful annual event drawing thousands of visitors from across the Midwest as well as musicians from Ireland and Scotland. Matt also owned and operated McGuinness Irish Pub in Appleton, Wisconsin, which under his management became known as a hub for world-class Irish and Celtic music .
"Matt turned countless customers into lifelong friends , greeting regulars by name with his ubiquitous smile," a relative wrote online. "His friends quickly learned of his deep love for Celtic music and culture , the Green Bay Packers (Go Pack Go!), Jimmy Buffett, and dogs, Nico, Czar, and especially Maddie, his Irish Wolfhound mix.
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"Matt’s lively spirit will be sorely missed by his family, community , and hundreds of friends around the country, as well as his close friends in Ireland and Scotland."
Matt was born in Warrenville, Illinois and was one of nine. He graduated from Saint Francis High School where he could be seen on stage in musicals, theater and choir . He went on to study Industrial Safety at Northern Illinois University where he joined Newman Catholic Center. Matt's faith remained his "bedrock" throughout his life.
Tributes have poured in from the Irish Festival community across the US. A Pittsburgh Irish Festival spokesperson said: "We have lost a very dear friend and colleague. Matt was one of the good guys.
"The Irish Festival community around the country and bands internationally are feeling the loss. No one was a stranger for long with Matt. He had a welcoming personality, a sweet smile, and a joie de vivre second to none."
A spokesperson for Michigan Irish Music Festival went on: "Matt's warmth and generosity were boundless. He had a genuine respect for musicians and artists , and they felt the same way about him.
"Matt's untimely departure leaves a profound void in our hearts and in the communities he touched. We know his spirit will remain present, woven into the fabric of the festivals and the friendships he nurtured."
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Skerryvore, a Celtic rock band from Scotland, added: "As a relatively unknown Scottish band hijacking the Irish Fest scene, Matt was brave (or mad) enough to book us to headline his Irish Festival in Oshkosh.
We were extremely proud to be one of the first acts booked for his new festival, Fox Cities Irish Fest, that we hope will remain as a legacy of Matt’s love of music, festivals and good times.
"Today our hearts are broken at the loss of a great friend but we’ll cherish some of the best times we have had Stateside with him. Rest easy, Matt. We'll miss you buddy."
Matt is survived by seven siblings and dozens of adoring nieces and nephews. A funeral liturgy will take place on May 14 at 11am at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Appleton. In lieu of flowers, festival donations can be made here .
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