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Ridgway native Matt Facchine, along with wife Nikki (Goldman) Facchine, reside in Severn, Md. with their first child, Owen, born on July 25, 2009.

By Joseph Bell

Staff Writer

For Ridgway native Matt Facchine, growing up in a small town community was inspiring.
“Ridgway inspired me through motivation and positive reinforcement,” Facchine said, who now lives in Severn, Md. “I was constantly told growing up by my parents, coaches and friends that I could do anything that I put my mind to. 
“This has helped me with my confidence and focus throughout my life.”
Facchine is currently a radar systems engineer and uses his life lessons from Ridgway in tackling his daily responsibilities at work.
“I work to architect and design radar systems for a defense contractor,” said Facchine, son of James Facchine and Mary (DePanfilis) Facchine of Ridgway. “I manage various technical teams and have been with my company since 2003.”
Facchine attended St. Leo’s Elementary School until 1993 and graduated from Elk County Christian High School in 1997.
“Greg Snelick at ECCHS was my Analysis and Calculus teacher and really helped me to continue to enjoy mathematics and establish a leg up entering college,” Facchine said. “My teachers at St. Leo’s in Ridgway also help shape who I am, even though I often gave them a hard time, including Mrs. Purkowski, Mrs. Aiello and Mrs. Detwiler.
After graduating high school, Facchine earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 2001 from Penn State University. Facchine furthered his education with a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering two years later. In 2006, Facchine earned a graduate degree in systems engineering from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
“My dad inspired me most on my career path to becoming an engineer,” Facchine said. “I was always fascinated with how things work, and listening to him educate me beyond my textbook learning. 
“I always enjoyed math and science, and still enjoy applying that knowledge day to day.”
But for Facchine, growing up in Ridgway meant not only receiving an education, but also active participation in sports.
“I have always enjoyed playing sports and played many sports growing up in Ridgway, from golf at the Ridgway Country Club to basketball at the YMCA, and baseball at the Grant Road and Sandy Beach Complex,” Facchine said. “I was part of the 1994 Ridgway Senior Little League All-Star team that captured the state title. It was a tremendous life experience.
“The moment I remember most is coming back late after winning the state championship and riding through town on Main Street with the team while the entire town was out cheering in support of what we had just accomplished. It was a true moment of community that I will never forget.”
Facchine is still consistently active in sports in his community.
“I still enjoy sports and very much enjoy playing softball, going to the gym, and golfing regularly,” Facchine said. “I also vividly remember enjoying golf outings with my late grandmother Veronica DePanfilis at the Ridgway Country Club. 
“I feel that sports are a terrific avenue to create a lasting network of friends outside of the work environment.”
Yet looking back home, Facchine said he still thinks of Ridgway and his family.
“Ridgway, as a community, helped shape my values and define me as a person,” Facchine said. “I often think back as to how fortunate I was to grow up in such a close knit community, especially when listening to people from other parts of the world describe the places which they grew up.
“I miss family and the close knit community aspects of Ridgway most. Living in Maryland, I also miss the rolling hills of Pennsylvania.”
Most of Facchine’s family still reside in Ridgway, including his parents and sister, Lisa.
Facchine married Nikki (Goldman) Facchine in 2005 and their first child, Owen, was born on July 25 of this year. The couple have resided in Severn, Md. since 2005.