A red bow and two red ribbons adorn the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge sculpture at the band shell in memory of 15-year-old Matthew Dickinson (left), who was killed by a River Line train on Aug. 8.
The quiet, peaceful morning of Aug. 8 in the borough was shattered as a Palmyra High School three-sport athlete headed to soccer practice at the Legion Fields sports complex.
While crossing the tracks at Chestnut and Broad streets, 15-year-old Matthew James Dickinson was struck and killed by a northbound River Line train headed to the Cinnaminson Avenue station.
Dickinson’s tragic death broke the hearts of many Palmyra and Riverton residents who placed red ribbons at the school, around the soccer field, all along Broad Street and at their homes in his memory.
Hundreds of grieving friends and family wept and grieved during a candlelight vigil on Aug. 11 and at services on April 13 and 14. Dickinson’s funeral Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Church in Riverton.
Some of the hundreds of mourners who attended a memorial visitation for Matthew Dickinson lined up outside Sacred Heart Church in Riverton on the morning of Aug. 14.
Dickinson was a lifelong resident of the borough about to enter his sophomore year at Palmyra High. He was known as a fierce competitor who excelled at sports – especially soccer, baseball and wrestling – and was well liked by both teammates and classmates.
Dickinson’s time playing sports with the Pal-Riv Soccer Club included having his father Jim “proudly at his son’s side as his coach on the Pal-Riv Phoenix Team and Matthew’s entire soccer career,” the teen’s obituary noted.
“With his transition to high school, Matthew had a standout year in his sports, especially with wrestling, which he had just started competing in, and in baseball, making the varsity teams for both as a freshman,” the obituary added. “Matthew always stood out on any field or wrestling mat when he was competing, because he always played ‘bigger than himself,’ with an extra level of intensity and a non-quitting spirit.”
The obituary also described Dickinson as “quiet, even stoic, but with a great sense of humor. He was always funny and a jokester,” it read. “Simple answers were never enough for him, and his inquisitive mind led him to want to know and understand the world around him.”
“Family was everything to Matthew,” the obituary continued. “He centered his world around hanging with his cousins, aunts and uncles and loved being with his family, especially his brothers and cousins, on trips to Long Beach Island and camping. He likes crabbing at the Shore and was an excellent fisherman, using his Hawaiian style fishing net off the pier.”
Dickinson is survived by his mother, Tippy Woodard, and father, Jim Dickinson; his brothers, Colin and Cameron Woodard and Benjamin and Alex Dickinson; his grandparents, Carol and Wayne Dickinson; his aunt, Kelly Veneziale and her husband Nick; his uncle, Christopher Dickinson and his wife Teresa; cousins Nicholas Veneziale, Katelyn Veneziale, Christopher Dickinson and Michael Dickinson; and his many friends, teammates and classmates.
New Jersey Transit police are investigating the train accident, and officers could be seen around the intersection of Chestnut and Broad streets on Aug. 13.
To honor Dickinson’s memory, a pop-up lemonade stand sponsored by the Palmyra police and fire departments, its EMS and local businesses and organizations was set up at Charles Street School on Aug. 17. All proceeds went to the teen’s family.
Family members have also established a GoFundMe page that offers this observation: “The outpouring of love and support from friends, family and the community has been nothing short of amazing. Many have requested ways to support the family, therefore this page has been created.
“All contributions will go directly to the family and their wishes to honor Matthew in the years to come.”
The link to donate is: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-mathews-family-keep-his-legacy-alive. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with Dickinson’s family at www.weberfuneralhomeinc.com.
