Matthew John Parry

Matthew John Parry, 33, passed away on June 15 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Our beloved Matt is survived by his parents, Neil and Diane Parry of Fairport, NY, his brothers, Bryan of Salt Lake City, Utah and Evan of Rochester, NY. He will be forever missed by his aunts and uncles – Linda Paricio and Brian Roussel, Glenn and Tomoko Parry, Alexander and Frances Sienkiewicz and Sharon Sienkiewicz with whom he shared a very special bond.

Dearly missing Matt are his cousins, Laurie and Matt Cornelius and their sons, Cole and Grant, Holly Sienkiewicz and Patrick Morrison and their sons Jack and Owen, Jody and Melissa Goldman and their daughters Gloria Rose and Consuela, and Dana Goldman. In addition, Matt will be deeply missed by our dear friend, Joel Goldberg, his lifelong Fairport HS buddies, and the chess and poker communities.

He is predeceased by his grandparents, Marielle and Alexander Sienkiewicz, Sr. and John and Joan Parry, his Aunt Maureen (Moe) Ryan and his cousin, Aaron Goldman. 

Matt is a graduate of Fairport High School in 2009 and the University at Buffalo in 2013. Upon college graduation, he followed his dream and became a professional poker player winning a WSOP bracelet in 2023 and recently winning the Wynn Summer Classic $2,200 PLO Event. In addition, he loved the game of chess and pursued it passionately during his school years – turning his love of literature into a love of chess books. In various years, Matt won the NYS Scholastic Championship, came in 4th at the GM Arnold Denker National Tournament of High School Champions, won the 10th Grade National Chess Championship and participated in the US delegation to the World Youth Chess Championships held in Vietnam in 2008. He strove for perfection in both of those fields resulting in a unique, hyper-focused individual to the detriment of the minutiae of everyday life. 

Matt had many passions besides chess and poker, including NBA basketball, Phish concerts, Parry brownies, All-you-can eat crab at Red Lobster particularly at Christmas when his Aunt Shaz took all of her nieces and nephews out for a feast, Atlas Shrugged, Survivor, Harry Potter, Breaking Bad, The Wire and the movie Rounders.

He was a sweet, humble man who left us too soon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Chess Gorilla LLC, 221 Norris Drive, Rochester NY 14610. 

Calling Hours will take place on Friday, June 28th from 5-8pm at Keenan’s Funeral Home (7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd, Fairport). Matt’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 29th at 11 am at All Souls Chapel at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (2461 Lake Ave, Rochester). There will be no procession from Keenan’s to the cemetery, that all those attending will meet at the chapel. Celebration of Life will take place at Midvale Country Club (2387 Baird Rd, Penfield) on Saturday, June 29th beginning at 3:30.

The world you desire can be won. It exists .. it is real .. it is possible .. it’s yours.
– Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand