Prominent Sussex County restaurateur Matt Haley has died.
On Monday, the 53-year-old Delawarean was involved in a motorcycle accident in India.
He had just begun what was to be a six-week humanitarian mission through northwestern India and Nepal.
Haley was the recipient of the 2014 James Beard Humanitarian Award for his efforts to improve the lives of children and agricultural conditions of countries around the world.
In 2011, he founded the non profit foundation the Global Delaware Fund which supports education and the arts both locally and globally.
Haley’s business partner Scott Kammerer says the loss will be felt both within Delaware and beyond.
"He was a genius and a pioneer and was a special person that touched a lot of people’s lives," Kammer said. "It’s something the world and Delaware will certainly miss."
Kammerer says the restaurants’ everyday operations have continued in Haley’s absence as he focused on his humanitarian work -- and he adds that the company will honor his legacy that everybody deserves a chance to remake themselves. Haley overcame drug and alcohol addiction to own about two dozen restaurants. Eight of those restaurants are in the First State's beach area, including Lupo di Mare and Papa Grande's in Rehoboth and Fish On in Lewes.
"He started out as a dishwasher coming out of prison and became one of the best-known restaurateurs and humanitarians on the East Coast. If anybody could believe in second chances, it was him," said Kammerer.
In a statement, Governor Jack Markell said “He was a world class humanitarian and we will miss him greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Delaware's Congressional delegation also offered their condolences in separate statements.
"Just yesterday, I rode along with a group of Meals on Wheels volunteers in Lewes to help deliver healthy food to those in need. We met at one of Matt’s restaurants, Fish On, and I was told by an organizer of Matt’s recent commitment to preparing thousands of free meals from Fish On for Meals on Wheels recipients," said Rep. John Carney (D-Delaware). "That’s just one example of Matt’s commitment to service. He was a tremendous ambassador for the state of Delaware, and worked tirelessly to leverage his success for the good of others."
"While many people knew Matt as a great chef and restaurateur, my deepest respect came from meeting him in his role as a board member for La Esperanza, an organization that supports the integration and empowerment of the Hispanic community in Sussex County" said Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware). "I was both touched and impressed by his servant leadership and efforts to bring hope to so many both here and abroad."
“Matt got a second chance at life and vowed to seize it," said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Delaware). "The weekend before Matt left for India, I met a woman in Dover – a recovering addict who couldn’t find work because she couldn’t find anyone willing to take a chance on her and to believe in her. I told her Matt’s story and the incredible life he’d made after the mistakes of his youth. I called Matt the next day and he leapt at the opportunity to help her. He took her number and promised to call her right away because he was getting on a plane the next morning."
“I can’t believe he’s gone and I’m so grateful that the last thing we got to do together was to try to help someone," added Coons.
Funeral arrangements are not yer available, but in lieu of flowers, people are asked to send donations to the the Global Delaware Fund at P.O. Box 49, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 or at its website.
