This flag graphic is used to designate Military Service

This "NO PIC" graphic is used to designate that no photo is currently available

Maryvale Panthers,

Phoenix Arizona

In MEMORIAM 1990

  Class of 1990:

MATTHEW "Matt/Ski" C. LASKOWSKI Born: 11-12-1971 Died: 02-25-2004, at age 32, while serving his country in Habbiniyah, Iraq. U.S. Navy Persian Gulf Veteran. U.S. Army Iraq Veteran. Branch: U.S. Navy Rank: PO-2 Branch: U.S. Army, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Active Duty. Rank: CWO-Chief Warrant Officer-2 Unit: 4th Squadron, Outlaw Troop, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Carson, Colorado. Matt was awarded a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Meritorious Service medals. When Matt transferred to the Army, he earned his Aviator Badge in 2000. Matt Laskowski was killed when his OH-58 helicopter crashed into the Euphrates River. Matt was one of two soldiers killed 02/25/2004 (CW2 Stephen "Steve" M. Wells, 29, of Massachusetts, also died in the same crash), when their helicopter crashed in Habbinayah, Iraq. Matthew was flying an Army Kiowa helicopter when it crashed into the Euphrates River about 120 miles northwest of Baghdad. Family members said Army officials told them the helicopter clipped power lines. Prior to serving in Iraq, Matt had also been stationed in South Korea as air support to D Troop, 4-7 CAV on the ground. When Matt was in the Navy (he joined in 1990 and served 9 years as an aircraft mechanic), his tour was as an Aviation Electrician's Mate Instructor at the NATTC-AE school in Pensacola, Florida; where he set a high example in leadership, professionalism and military bearing for others to follow and ensuring that they had trained the best. He was also a motivating factor in other Naval instructors to pursue the Warrant Officer program for the Army. Matt also inspired and influenced others at the AE schoolhouse to join and volunteer with Escambia Search and Rescue (ESAR). He is remembered by fellow instructors for having a silly sense of humor and zest for being in the gym. Matt was noted for his strength; he could bench-press 430 pounds. Matt always tried to be the best and go that extra step. Matt's wife/widow is Jennifer "Jen" Laskowski. Jen and Matt 1st met when she was 15 years old. They have 2 daughters, Isabel and Aniela. Matt's Father is Norbert R. Laskowski, and stepmother Shelli, of Yarnell, Arizona. He is preceded in death by his Mother Mary DeHart. Matt's brothers are Douglas "Doug" Laskowski, Bradley "Brad" Laskowski (wife, Susan), Jeffrey "Jeff" Laskowski, and Andrew Eshkibok. Matt's sister is Aimee (Eshkibok) Gartner, MHS; 1990. His Mother-in-law is Lydia Estrella, and his brother-in-law is Aurelio Estrella, Jr. Matt loved flying, scuba diving and Mexican food, but none of those hobbies came close to the way he felt about his wife and daughters. His biggest thing was spending time with his daughters, he loved every minute of it. Family was 1st to him. In honor of Matt, Jennifer was sent a "Marine Comfort Quilt." Matt is also remembered on the Fallen Heroes Memorial, Operation Iraqi Freedom, also The Iraq Page, and the Arizona Veterans Memorial, in Bullhead City, Arizona, and by the Fallen Patriot Fund. News articles include: "Coming Home Denied; Family trying to cope with GI's death," The Arizona Republic by Connie Cone Sexton; and "Army Chief Warrant Officer Matthew C. Laskowski," Rocky Mountain News by Brian D. Crecente; and "America At War," The Gazette by Andrea Brown, and "Honor the fallen." When Matt was last home in January 2004, he shared with his family the following: "He reiterated how important the job they were doing was. He would talk about the conditions that people were living in. He wanted them to have the same freedom we have. He wanted to make things better, that was always his goal.” Visitation and a rosary was held Wednesday, 03/03/2004, at Heritage Funeral Chapel, 6830 West Thunderbird Road, Peoria, Arizona. Funeral Mass was Thursday, 03/04/2004, at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 10815 North 35th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona. Interment at: Holy Cross Cemetery, 10045 West Thomas Road, Avondale, Arizona 85323. Gravesite location is in the military section, in the southwest area of the cemetery. Matt is laid to rest next to Warren "Wade" Sutton, a fellow Veteran (of the Vietnam War) and MHS-1968 alumni. The Matthew Laskowski memorial fund is at Arizona Federal Credit Union, account # 5425551. "Fair Winds and Following Seas," Matt is greatly loved and sorely missed by many.
DANIEL "Dan/Danny" NICOLAS SAENZ Born: 01-04-1972, in Phoenix, Arizona. Died: 08-27-2004, in Phoenix, Arizona. Danny was born in Phoenix, Arizona to Frank and Evelyn Saenz. Danny attended Saint Vincent De Paul Elementary & graduated from Maryvale High School in 1990. He went on to get a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Phoenix & worked in the telecommunications industry for 9 years. He was a fun-loving, outgoing person who loved being surrounded by family & friends. Danny is survived by his wife Sarah; children, Devon, Damien, Aliyah, & Andrew; parents Frank & Evelyn; brother Frank "Frankie" (Esther) Saenz, MHS; 1980, sister Diana (Nick); grandparents, Grandma Jenny & Nana Cuca; 3 nephews & 1 niece in addition to many aunts, uncles, cousins & friends. Visitation was held, with Rosary, on Thursday, 09/02/2004, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 539 La Pasada Blvd., Goodyear, Arizona. Funeral Mass was Friday, 09/03/2004, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Arcadia Funeral Home. Published in The Arizona Republic on 09/01-02/2004.

Top of page