Matthew (Matt) R. Hampton , 29, of Manchester, N.H., passed away suddenly on Jan. 19, 2009. Before moving to Manchester, N.H., six years ago he lived in St. Johnsbury, Vt. He was born in Carlisle, Pa., on Oct. 19, 1979, to Robert Hampton and wife Louanne (stepmother) of Tolland, Conn., and Deborah (Ford) Baird and husband John Baird (stepfather) of Lyndonville, Vt. Matthew graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1997 and attended Bentley College of Boston and Norwich University of Northfield, Vt. He was employed as a financial advisor for Northwestern Mutual of Manchester, winning numerous awards for his hard work and dedication to a career he truly loved. In his life, Matthew was a thrill seeker. His favorite hobbies were to play golf, ice hockey and working on, and driving his blue Tacoma. He also enjoyed motorcycling, snowmobiling, four wheeling and going to NASCAR races to root for his favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88. Matthew's favorite hockey team is the Boston Bruins and baseball team, the Atlanta Braves. One of his favorite memories was going to Charlotte, N.C., to the NASCAR race with his best friend James Lightholder. His happiest moments were when he was with his family and friends who meant everything to him. He was predeceased by his paternal grandmother Georgianna Hampton of Tolland, Conn., in November 1998. Surviving family members are Matthew's girlfriend Angela Snow, sister Jennifer Klember and her husband Roy Klember, and nephew Teagan Roy Klember of Manchester, N.H., and niece Isabelle Jane Klember of Vernon, Conn. Maternal grandparents Richard and Judith Ford of Hebron, Conn. Paternal grandfather Herbert Hampton of Tolland, Conn. Several aunts, uncles, cousins, two stepbrothers, Jason Carroll and Richard Edwards and one stepsister, Estelle Percoski, and several nephews and nieces. A celebration of Matthew's life will be held Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, from 5 to 6 p.m., with a service to follow at 6 p.m., at the Comfort Inn, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice in Matthew's name.