Boston is known for the Freedom Trail, Harvard University, and Fenway Park. At Gateway Greens, there is one resident who proudly carries Boston’s sports spirit wherever he goes: Matt Curran.
This affable homeowner has lived in our community for four years and loves every minute of it. Although now retired, Matt spent 40 years in the airline industry, giving him extensive knowledge of U.S. geography after living in eight different cities.
Raised in Stoneham, Massachusetts, Matt has been a devoted fan of the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins since childhood. Living near Boston allowed him to attend countless games, and today he enjoys watching his favorite teams from his sports-themed home on Championship Circle. While in high school, Matt worked as a stock clerk at First National Grocery Store to earn money for his first car and, of course, sports tickets. Hockey is his favorite sport, and he played goaltender until he was 42 years old.
After graduating from high school, Matt joined Delta Air Lines at Logan Airport. Starting with cleaning aircraft and loading baggage, he steadily worked his way up to become a supervisor overseeing loading gates. His career with Delta gave him the opportunity to live in Chicago, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Atlanta.
While living in Atlanta, Matt and his former wife adopted two children from Russia. Raising them is Matt’s most fulfilling achievement. Today, both children happily live and work in Georgia. Matt concluded his airline career as an analyst for JetBlue in New York City, where he evaluated and selected hotels for flight crews in numerous cities. He also audited airline procedures at airport gates and ramps throughout the Caribbean, South America, and the United States.
Following retirement, Matt settled in Fort Lauderdale but eventually found the area too crowded and troubled by increasing crime. Looking for a quieter lifestyle, he was encouraged to consider Fort Myers. Although initially disappointed with his search, he immediately fell in love with the layout of his Gateway Greens home. The community’s many amenities, the clubhouse, and its proximity to Fenway South (JetBlue Park) made his decision easy.
Within just a few months, Matt discovered another reason to love Gateway Greens: “It is easy to make friends here. The people are laid back and very friendly.”
A lifelong Boston sports fan, Matt enjoys attending nearby Red Sox Spring training games and cheering on the Florida Everblades hockey team. He is also an active member of St. John XXIII Church and the Knights of Columbus. Every Tuesday, he volunteers at St. Martin de Porres, helping serve meals to those experiencing homelessness and cleaning the kitchen’s large pots and pans.
In his free time, Matt enjoys playing euchre and cribbage, watching movies, lifting weights, and trying new restaurants. Some of his favorite local dining spots are The Club, Shrimp Shack, Clam Bake, Mr. Tequila, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Two Meatballs.
So, if you see a tall gentleman wearing a Boston Bruins hat, be sure to introduce yourself. Matt’s friendly smile and unmistakable New England accent help make Gateway Greens such a special place to call home.
