Matthew Presti Obituary

Dr. Matthew Presti died peacefully in his sleep at home in Colorado Springs on July 23, 2016 at 90 years of age. Three days later, his beloved wife of 63 years, Helen (Snider) Presti passed away. He is survived by children Susan Presti and Lawrence Skiffington of Colorado Springs, Dr. Blair and Katrina (Van Hoesen) Presti of Pueblo; grandchildren Maia Presti and Matthew Presti of Pueblo; and sister Stella (Presti) Taw of Valdosta Georgia.

Matthew was born on September 18, 1925 in Brooklyn New York to Marie (Avenatti) & Salvatore (Sam) Presti, both of whom emigrated from Italy as children. Matt was raised in Mineola, Long Island and graduated as valedictorian from Mineola High School before commencing studies at Lafayette College, Pennsylvania. With WWII continuing unabated, Matt joined the Navy's V12 fast track college training program, completing his undergraduate studies at Union College and earning his M.D. degree from Albany Medical School in 1949. After a year and half of general surgery training at Syracuse University Hospital, he was called to serve in the Korean War. He was stationed at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Portsmouth Virginia as a Lieutenant JG, a general medical officer assigned to the general surgery and neurosurgery services. He met and married Lieutenant Helen Snider, head nurse on the neurosurgery floor. After discharge from the Navy, the newlyweds moved to Chicago where Matthew completed neurosurgical residency at Rush Presbyterian Medical Center, followed by two years working as the assistant chief of neurosurgery at the Memphis VA hospital in Tennessee. In 1959, now a father of two young children, he was lured by a colleague to Colorado and established Colorado Springs' first neurosurgery practice. For several busy years, he was the only neurosurgeon between Denver and Albuquerque, and worked in both Colorado Springs and Pueblo. In1964 Dr. Michael McNally joined the practice and the two of them built what is today Colorado Springs Neurological Associates. Throughout his professional career, he was an active member of numerous neurosurgical societies and regional medical associations, serving as president of the Colorado Neurosurgical Society and a director on the board of the Interurban Neurosurgical Society for over 20 years. Matthew enjoyed a long career devoted to his patients and medical community until his retirement at age 70.

Dedication to his patients and service were the hallmarks of his life. There were many sleepless nights tending to medical emergencies, cancelled vacations to care for a sick patient, and devotion to family life. Matthew travelled abroad on volunteer medical missions, served on the board of the Fine Arts Center, and served as an elder and a long time usher at First Presbyterian Church. The Colorado outdoors was his favorite locale for leisure time activities and rejuvenation. He enjoyed skiing with the family, especially their annual trip to Aspen, backpacking, golfing and fly fishing throughout the mountain west and as far away as New Zealand. After retirement, Matt and Helen finally had time to enjoy long road trips by car on the backroads of America to visit friends or family. The grandchildren remember his generosity and kind bemusement at their antics growing up. In his later years, he loved listening to classical music before bed, and always raised a glass of champagne to celebrate the many milestones and events in the lives of his family. With humor and grace he accepted his declining health, leaving us both saddened and moved by his passing.



Memorial services for Matt and Helen will be held on Friday, August 5th at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 219 E. Bijou St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903, followed by a reception at the church fellowship hall. Flowers may be sent to First Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Pikes Peak Hospice, 2550 Tenderfoot Hills St., Colorado Springs Colorado 80906, or First Presbyterian Church.

The family would like to thank Matt's many friends and colleagues who were part of his long and happy life in this community, and also his caregivers at MorningStar Mountain Shadows and Pikes Peak Hospice for their tender care.