Matthew Witzgall, Pine Beach Accident Victim, Laid to Rest

A which required police officers to direct traffic a day earlier culminated in a more subdued, solemn funeral Mass Tuesday for one of the victims of an automobile accident in Pine Beach last week.

The accident claimed the lives of three young adults from Ocean County.

Matthew H. Witzgall, 21, of Toms River, was laid to rest at the Ocean County Memorial Park, Toms River, following a funeral Mass celebrated at the Church of the Visitation on Mantoloking Road in Brick.

Family members and friends of Witzgall streamed into the church under cloudy skies by 9:30 a.m. Bagpipers played “Amazing Grace” as Witzgall’s mother, Mary Beth Boyle, and other family members stood next to a hearse while funeral attendees entered the Roman Catholic church’s main entranceway.

The Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by the Rev. V.J. Christudas, lasted about an hour.

“Death is a victory for him,” said Christudas, of Witzgall. “He is now with the Lord. He is glorified.”

Christudas told family members and friends that while their loved one may be gone physically, he is busy “preparing a place for you in Heaven.”

As for why Witzgall was taken so young, “We have to accept that we cannot control life,” Christudas said.

A family friend read a letter from Witzgall’s sister, Ashley, about her brother.

“Even though he was my little brother, I always did, and always will, look up to him,” the letter stated. “He was inspiring, and inspired everyone who met him.”

By the end of the Mass, the thick ceiling of clouds from an hour before had given way to bright sunshine that filled the sky, along with a brisk wind. The bagpipers began another round of “Amazing Grace.”

Matthew Witzgall, known for his musical talent, photography skills and his friendship to those who knew him, had been bid a proper farewell.