Mateusz Maciulewski: A Kind, Easygoing Young Man

Farmington teens shared their grief over losing 14-year-old Mateusz Maciulewski Tuesday by offering memories of a sweet young man who many said was easygoing and loved by all.

Maciulewski was a little shy, loved to skate and played bass and guitar, said Brian Seholm, who, along with his brother Brandon Seholm, was very close to Maciulewski.

“He was a very easygoing kid, but he was kind of shy. I’m lucky I knew him so well,” Seholm said.

In addition to a talent for music, Maciulewski also spoke two other languages, Seholm said – French and Polish, the language of his family. He also attended Polish school.

Farmington High boys crew coach Laura Butterfield saw Maciulewski join the team with an already tight-knit group of freshmen. That group’s bond strengthened the team, she said, which has come together to support each other as they cope with the loss of their friend.

“Usually with teenagers, you can find something bad you could say, but not this kid,” Butterfield said. “He was friends with everybody; everybody loved him. He laughed at stuff and handled things very well.”

As such, Butterfield said, the freshman rower wouldn’t have wanted his friends to mourn him for long, but to get out and win some races to honor his memory.

The kids on the crew have something else in mind, she said. They’re already talking about how to memorialize Maciulewski – whether by planting a tree, dedicating a boat or holding a race.

Friends from throughout Farmington High School spent the day memorializing Maciulewski through social media.

The Farmington High School Indians Facebook account offered the wish, “RIP Mateusz may you rock the heavens forever my friend.”

And a fellow rower remembered Maciulewski saying, “Mateusz u were such a great rower and everytime u smiled u lit up the boat house.”

Several noted the teen’s sense of humor.

“I used to joke around with him at lunch and he would always be laughing. I can't believe something like this has happened.”

“RIP Tushie. You were a good and funny kid.”

“Last few hours have been rough for many... Rest easy, be the comedian of heaven.”

Maciulewski would have been heading into his sophomore year at in the fall had his life not ended tragically when he was hit by a car Monday afternoon on Route 4.

He was doing what he did every day, Farmington Police Lt. Marshall Porter said, which was get off the CT Transit bus after a camp program. But several of the adults in Maciulewski’s life believe force of habit was what caused the accident.

“He just got off the bus like you get off a school bus — you just walk across the road. Only with a city bus, the traffic doesn’t stop,” explained Butterfield.

The accident occurred just before 1 p.m. Monday and Maciulewski was taken to Hartford Hospital. His family kept him on life support until his brothers were able to fly in and say goodbye. Many of his friends, Butterfield and Principal Tim Breslin were also able to visit him before he died.