MORE: Richard Daniel Matteoli’s obituary
Matteoli started Recovery Toy Drive to help children whose parents have died from drug overdoses. He called the children the “most innocent victims” of the opiate epidemic.
The drive received donations from notable local organizations, including the Dayton Dragons and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Toys were distributed Dec. 9.
RELATED: Fairborn man thanks first responders for reviving him after ODs
Matteoli himself overdosed on five or six occasions before he went into recovery. In July of this year, he publicly thanked first responders at the Fairborn Fire Department for saving his life.
He told first responders how he first became addicted to heroin and what his life was life on the drug.
RELATED: Recovering addict collecting toys for children whose parents died of ODs
Matteoli was a student at Ohio State University when he started drinking at fraternity parties and his life went “out of control from there,” he told this news organization in a past interview.
After getting addicted to heroin, Matteoli became homeless and lost touch with his family.
He entered recovery and sought to turn his life around.
He got married and rebuilt his relationship with his mother and son. Matteoli said that he was “more present in his (son’s) life today with him living 1,000 miles away” than he was with him living in town.
His wife, Leslie Matteoli, did not talk about how her husband died, but issued a statement:
“I loved my husband very much. He was a kind loving very giving man that dedicated his life to helping others. I will honor his memory and his legacy.”
Matteoli’s visitation will be at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Xenia, from 1 to 3 p.m. today.
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