19-Year-Old Malden Native Dies After Bout with Cancer

Malden native Matthew "Swirls" Cirelli, 19, died on Sunday at Mass. General Hospital following a two-year bout with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, according to an obituary on the Dello Russo Funeral Homes website.

Cirelli, born in Malden on March 19, 1994, was a Medford resident and graduated from Medford High School in 2012, according to the obituary.

"During his senior year, he bravely fought through numerous treatments to complete his course work, and to enjoy the prom and graduation," reads the obituary. "To his classmates, Swirls was beloved for his kindness, easy-going manner, sense of humor, and of course, the curly hair which gave him his nickname."

According to the obituary, Cirelli had been accepted into several colleges, and planned on attending Merrimack College.

"Matt wanted to follow in his parents' footsteps and hoped to pursue a career as a medical professional. He was compassionate and always helping others," reads the obituary. "Having two cousins with autism, Swirls was, from a young age, interested in helping those with special needs. He was devoted to spending time with his cousin Eric.

"Throughout high school, Swirls also served as a respite provider for the Northeast ARC in Danvers, working with individuals with autism."

He is survived by his parents, John and Barbara (Perrotti) Cirelli, and his younger brother Jared, according to the obituary.

Visiting hours will be held from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at McLaughlin-Dello Russo Funeral Home, according to the obituary, and services will conclude with a burial at Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford.

Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13 at McLaughlin-Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., Woburn, followed by an 11 a.m. funeral mass celebrated at St. Mary Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester, according to the obituary.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Matthew's memory may be made to Angels Above, 99 Mammoth Road, PO Box 9501, Lowell, MA or the Hopes Program, c/o Mass General Development Office, 165 Cambridge, Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA, reads the obituary.

Visit Matthew "Swirls" Cirelli's obituary to learn more about his life and memorial services.