Crooked River Forge - CRF

11/10/2022

Inventor, innovator, expert craftsman, Forged in Fire Champion, loving husband, son, father, brother, some of the adjectives used to describe Thomas Arthur Matthews. Tommy succumbed to the ravaging effects of a two-year battle with cancer on Sunday, November 6, 2022, in the comfort, and peace of his family and home.
Tommy was born to Joann Guzzetta Babela, and the late Thomas Allan Matthews on July 7, 1970, in Steubenville, OH. He was 52 years old.
Tommy leaves his soul mate of over four years, wife Nicole “Nikki” Moore Matthews, his stepchildren, Hayden, and Kendall Six, his stepfather, Paul Babela, his stepmother, Kathryn Matthews, his in-laws, Richard and Cheryl Moore, his loving and devoted sister, Tiffany (Kirk) Grant of Los Angeles, CA., his brother-in-law Kevin (Kristen) Moore and their daughter, Hannah Moore of Columbus, OH., and his four-legged babies, Piper, and Dasher. Also, Tommy is survived by his uncles, Joe (Mary Ann) Guzzetta, Matthew (Elaine) Guzzetta, and James (Charlene) Guzzeta as well as numerous cousins and friends.
In addition to his father, his paternal grandparents, Arthur (Bud), and Kathryn Matthews, maternal grandparents, Matthew, and Alberta Guzzetta, and many aunts, and uncles on his father’s side preceded him in death.
Tommy was an amazing, talented, and loving man. If he was your friend, he was your friend for life. Tommy was an accomplished drummer and played in many bands but was best known for “Inbred Jed.” Tommy was a professional photographer and a published author. There was nothing Tommy couldn’t do. He was a true Renaissance Man! Of all his accomplishments, he was best known for his title, “Forged in Fire Champion.” Tommy was a Master Blade Smith and the owner and operator of “Crooked River Forge” where he hand-made one-of-a-kind knives.
Tommy proudly served his country in B Company, Fifth Battalion, Fifth Cavalry of the US Army in operation Desert Storm. Also, he was a Sergeant in Company E 1st Battalion 110th Infantry of the Army National Guard. He was a life member of VFW Post 6450 in Chester.
Tommy’s family and friends will celebrate his life with a memorial service at the Chester VFW on Saturday, November 12. The National Guard Honor Guard and VFW Post 6450 Honor Guard will accord full military honors at 1:00 p.m. with food and fellowship to follow.
A special thank you is extended to Valley Hospice and Pittsburgh VA Hospital for their compassionate care during this difficult time.

10/26/2022

Good day my friends, so as the uncertainty of my life grows near, I would just like to to lift my so called “no message ban” there are too many of you I keep hearing from recently that have respected it until recently and said have said f**k it that I miss hearing from and it has mad my day hearing from you! I may not be able to reply to you all, but I will do my best. I am absolutely blown away by your stories of inspiration I have given you without even knowing it… so If I have touched your life in some way, please let me know it, I would be honored. Thanks again and I love you!
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**kcancer

10/25/2022

Man these pies look amazing! Sure wish I could eat like a normal person….

I have some very bad news - Baked Ziti Pies are almost done, so get them while you can. I also have some very good news - once the Baked Ziti Pie run ends, that means it’s Thanksgiving season… Ziti will probably be around through the end of the week for all of your Halloween party needs - and we’ll be ready for the mayhem. See you soon for a pie!

10/20/2022

Cannot get enough of this…. Thanks again for allowing me to part of the Valley Spotlight family! I’m eternally grateful! 🙏🏼

10/17/2022

Burning the Sunday night oil trying to get some of the very last of the Crooked River Forge blades packaged up and out the door. Thanks so much for your understanding and patience with the delayed shipping.
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**kcancer

10/14/2022

Morning everyone, not really much I can update you all about at this point as I’m trying to settle into what my life has become being pretty much bed ridden. Not being able to eat solid food is probably the worst part… But on the bright side, I did see this awesome shirt from my friends over today. “Every man Dies…. Not everyman truly lives….” Reading these words reminds me of how much I have lived and for that, I am grateful!
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**kcancer

10/10/2022

Been a rough couple of days getting adjusted to being back home, but was finally able to make an honest woman today and made her my wife today at a small ceremony conducted while laying in bed by my long time friend Scotty Hicks, who was also my Dad’s Best friend. So sorry we couldn’t have the small wedding we were planning to share with our close friends and family before my latest debacle…. Believe me when I say we felt you all here with us. Thanks so much for continuing to hang by out sides!

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**kcancer

10/08/2022

Cannot wait to see this episode! So much love! 4pm Valley Spotlight!

10/01/2022

Good morning everyone, hope your Saturday is off to a great start. I’m sure if you follow me and saw my posting about the sale of the business last night , it has many of you scratching your heads….
I just wanted to take some time for everything to sink in for my own well being before I could even begin to convey to you what’s going on….
As you all know, I was to have a Bowel Bypass Surgery to try and fix the current obstruction I have been dealing with…. Unfortunately when they opened me up, they didn’t find good news and saw that my cancer had spread like wildfire and there is nothing more that can be done…. They put in a Gravity Tube to try and buy me as much time as possible, but unfortunately that probably isn’t much time….
Moving forward as I try to get my affairs in order and what not, I would ask that you not send me private messages asking how I’m doing etc…. I beg you to Please respect this request, my only other option will be to turn off messages which I don’t really want to do….
Finally, I would like to thank you all for the prayers and support you have given me throughout this long hard fight. I couldn’t have made it this far without you!
If you currently have an open order me, I will be in touch with you to shortly to discuss where your order is. Unfortunately for some of you, I will have no other option but to cancel the order and refund you the money, I hope you can understand….

Thank you and I love you all!

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**kcancer

10/01/2022

Anyone out there possibly interested in purchasing a turnkey knife making business? Serious inquiries only DM for more details and let’s chat…. (Business would have to be relocated to your own location)
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**kcancer

09/29/2022

So after a very rough week of intense pain and waiting to see what was going to happen next…. I reached out to God asking for a sign that he was real and to offer some relief from all the pain and uncertainty…. The next morning he answered me by having Dr. Holder/Murray getting in touch with me tell me that she will perform a Bowel Bypass Surgery to re-route my intestine around the blockage causing all the problems, thus giving me a chance at having more time with you all on God’s green earth. So tomorrow at 7am I will go under the knife for the 4th time…. I welcome the continued prayers and well wishes from you all and hope to see you all on the other side! Please pray to guide her hands and achieve the best results possible! I love you all and that you follow Nikki for updates rather than asking me as I will be in no condition to reply…..
🇺🇸👊🏼❤️👊🏼🇺🇸


**kcancer

09/16/2022

It’s been a rough week I’m afraid…. Today is the first day I felt strong enough and safe enough to be in the shop. Handle glue up complete! Yes!
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**kcancer