Matthew D. Lazzara was not only an avid fan of punk rock music but also a history buff and walking compendium of facts on the Civil War. Mr. Lazzara, 21, of Western Springs, died Sunday, Feb. 15, in his home, of cancer. “I’d always hoped Matt would live long enough to change the world, even if it was just a little at a time,” said his father, Scott. “He had such a good head and heart.” Born in Hinsdale, Mr. Lazzara grew up in Western Springs and graduated from Lyons Township High School in 2000. “He’d always been a voracious reader,” said his father. “His favorite subject was history and he knew so much about it.” At age 14, at the urging of one of his high school teachers, Mr. Lazzara attended his first Civil War re-enactment. He interviewed several participants and wrote a report on what he learned. “He amazed many of the [people] he spoke with, not only because of his grasp of dates and things like that, but with his understanding of the weaponry used during the war,” said his father. A few years later, he became a re-enactor and joined the 104th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Lazzara was also worked as a gaffer and grip on corporate productions in which his father was involved. He also worked at a cable television station in Berwyn. He was an active volunteer for Food Not Bombs. Mr. Lazzara is also survived by his mother, Kathleen Sheridan; a brother, Michael; paternal grandparents, Samuel and Lucille; and maternal grandparents, Philip and June Sheridan. Mass will be said at 11:15 a.m. Thursday in St. John of the Cross Church, 5005 Wolf Rd., Western Springs.
