Matthew Joel “Dittimus” Laffey, 79, of Winter Haven, Florida, passed away on March 8, 2025, at his home.
Born on November 28, 1945, in Orlando, Florida, to James and Jannette Laffey, Matt grew up with a love for travel, in both the physical and spiritual realms, that would define his life. He graduated from Ocala High School in 1963 before earning his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Jacksonville University in 1968, upon which he earned his CPA license on the first try.
After graduation, Matt attended Officer Candidate School at OTCN before proudly serving in the United States Navy from 1968-1970, including a tour in Vietnam where he served as an LTJG aboard the USS Leader. Upon returning home, he joined Pan American Airlines to kick off a 50 year career as a CPA and Financial Controller. From his time in Florida at Waverly Growers, to an overseas move to Saudi Arabia for General Dynamics Land Systems, to finally returning to Florida 14 years later for TRIM-PAK, he ended his career with the same passion and dedication to duty with which he began. Traits that earned him admiration and life-long friendships with colleagues.
Matt was a devoted husband to his wife of 48 years, Marjorie Gail (née Sloan), who survives him. Their partnership was a testament to the unbreakable bond that love, patience, and the thrill of a good thrift store find can forge. He is also survived by their children, Katrina Ambrose (Nicole) of Cool, CA and Sarah Pitt (Greg) of Tallahassee, FL; two grandchildren: Lucian and Jackson; his older sister, Donna Isler (Jack) of Sierra Vista, AZ; every single beloved Yager and Sloan niece, nephew, and cousin; and childhood friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, David (Cheryl) and Michael (Pat).
Matt’s family was the inspiration for all his endeavors and accomplishments. His legacy thrives in the lives he touched through kindness, humor, intelligence, and open-mindedness. The consummate gentleman, tirelessly putting others before himself, he taught his children to treat others with the same kindness with which they treated their mother. That said, Matt never shied away from a good-natured prank. He was notorious for his quick wit and unpredictable antics. A life-long learner, he explored the boundaries of the human experience through his love of reading, music, meditation, and travel. Travels which inspired a fondness for new and interesting foods and produced family favorites garlic spaghetti and lima bean salad, the cherished centerpieces of many family meals.
Through his deeds he set the standard for which all men should strive.
A Celebration of Life will follow in the coming months. If you would like to attend, please send your contact info to [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to one of his favorite shows on WMNF.org—Acoustic Peace Club, Postmodern Hootenanny, The Sixties Show—in Matt’s name.
“The past is already gone, the future is not yet here. There’s only one moment for you to live, and that is the present moment”. – Buddha
