Matthew F. Miller

Matthew “Matt” Francis Miller passed away unexpectedly on May 6, 2024, in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Born June 20, 1969, in Warrenville, IL, Matt was the ninth and youngest child of Ed and Edna Miller. He graduated from Saint Francis High School in Wheaton, IL, 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 was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and later served as District Grand Master.  At NIU he was an active member of Newman Catholic Center and his faith remained his bedrock throughout his life.

Matt’s life and work revolved around bringing people together and supporting causes he cared about. After moving to the Fox Cities of NE Wisconsin, Matt spent almost three decades working in donor development for nonprofits such as the Boy Scouts of America, the Humane Society, and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), where he organized the events Gathering of Eagles, Hops and Props and AirVenture Oshkosh. In 2009, Matt put his heart and soul in the founding of the Oshkosh Irish Fest, followed soon by the Oshkosh St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Tent Party and Oshkosh Oktoberfest. Proceeds from those festivals helped to support local nonprofits such as the Cerebral Palsy of NE Wisconsin. Throughout his many years of service, he raised millions of dollars for worthy causes. In 2015, the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce recognized Matt’s contributions to the community by honoring him with the Alberta Kimball Community Service Award. As a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, Matt always included an Irish Mass as part of the Irish Fest events and participated along with his Brother Knights in full Regalia.

In 2021, Matt co-founded the Irish Fest of the Fox Cities, where he continued the cultural traditions, and the fest quickly became a successful annual event drawing thousands of visitors from across the Midwest, as well as musicians from Ireland and Scotland.  Matt owned and operated McGuinness Irish Pub in Appleton, WI, 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 and all with his ubiquitous smile, making a reality of the pub’s slogan: “Where Drinks and Friendship Meet.” 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. To Matt, life was to be lived as a song and when it came to time with friends “the cares of tomorrow could wait, 'till the day was done.” 

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 preceded in death by his parents and his brother Bill Miller and nephew Brian Liszka. He is survived by brothers Ed (Barb) Miller of Rochester, MN, Bob Miller of Grand Junction, CO, Dan (Diana) Miller of McHenry, IL, Jim Miller of Houston, TX, John Miller of Miami, FL. Sisters Donna (Mark) Liszka of Bolingbrook, IL, and Terri (Glenn) Lamz of Ingleside, IL, as well as dozens of adoring nieces and nephews. 

A visitation service will be held at St. Mary’s Church, 312 State Street, Appleton on Monday, May 13, 2024, from 3:00pm until 7:00pm. A funeral liturgy will take place on Tuesday May 14, 2024, at 11:00am, at St Mary’s Catholic Church, 312 State Street, Appleton. Friends and family may gather at the church that day from 9:00am until 10:45am. Matthew will be laid to rest near his parents at Assumption Cemetery, Wheaton, IL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Irish Fest of the Fox Cities.