Mathias R. Hagovsky, 82 of Bedminster, NJ, died peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, September 21, following a battle with lymphoma and HLH.

Matt was born on October 20, 1942 in Carlstadt, NJ to Albert Joseph and Florence (nee Yannarelli) Hagovsky. Matt attended St. Joseph’s School, and was a championship hurdler at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, NJ.  Upon his graduation in 1960, he was awarded a full-tuition scholarship to The University of Maryland, which he turned down to enter the novitiate at Saint John’s University in Minnesota. Later he attended Saint Bernard College in Alabama, and finally Benedictine College in Kansas. In the summer of 1961, he met Marion Brady of East Orange, NJ through a mutual friend, and they stayed in touch during his years in formation. After graduating in 1964 with BA in Philosophy and a minor in psychology, he took his solemn vows to become a Benedictine monk. Soon after, Matt discerned that a life pursuing a career in psychology and having a family with Marion was what he was being truly called to do. He often said that he knew he was in love when Marion brought him brownies on a visit to the monastery.

Matt and Marion were united in marriage on June 28th,1969 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Maplewood, NJ. The week following his wedding, Matt began his studies at Seton Hall University to pursue his MA in School Psychology. After completing a U.S. Teacher Fellowship and graduating in 1971, Matt enrolled in the School Psychology PhD program at Fordham University in 1973. During this period, Matt taught undergraduate and graduate classes at Kean College, Rutgers University, and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey.

Beginning in 1973 with the family’s move to Verona, NJ, Matt became an active parishioner at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. He was a cantor at the 5:30 Mass each Saturday where he generously shared his strong baritone voice and impressive skill on the guitar. He also served as the President of the Home School Association at the affiliated school where all four children were enrolled. Together with Marion, Matt was a Pre-Cana facilitator for many engaged couples of the Parish. Matt was also an avid gardener and built a beautiful, expansive rock garden at their home in Verona, which was often praised as the most impressive in the neighborhood.

In 1977, Matt earned his PhD, and began a distinguished career in psychology that spanned almost 50 years.  He worked with infants, children, and adolescents in a variety of evaluation and treatment capacities in schools, hospitals, and private office settings. In addition to maintaining a full-time group psychology practice in Livingston, NJ, he served as a Pediatric Specialty Consultant to the High Risk Clinic at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.

As a forensic psychologist expert in performing psychodiagnostic evaluations, Matt provided evaluative information to the Courts and other referral agents in approximately 2,400 matters and testified in more than 400 family, civil, or criminal matters, many of which related to allegations of sexual abuse of children, parental alienation, and/or domestic violence. He was frequently Court-appointed in Morris, Essex, Passaic, Middlesex, Hunterdon, Somerset, Hudson, Sussex, Union, Bergen, and Warren counties to conduct evaluations in matters of custody, parenting time, removal, and parent-child reconciliation, as well as called upon to provide alternative dispute resolution in such matters.

Matt was a regular faculty presenter for the Institute for Continuing Legal Education and at the Annual Judicial College conferences. He was a member and President of both the New Jersey Psychological Association and its Foundation, speaking frequently to teachers, parents’ groups, and to religious and civic organizations on a variety of subjects relating to children and families.  He was a member and a former Director of the New Jersey Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and Clinical Assistant Instructor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine.  Matt also served on the Review Board of the Archdiocese of Newark.

In 1987, Matt and his family moved to Basking Ridge, NJ where he quickly became active at St. James Parish, once again playing the guitar and serving as the cantor for the noon Mass on Sundays.  Matt and Marion were facilitators of the Sharing Program for high school students at St. James for several years.  An ardent fan of theater, Matt was an A-lister in the “St. James’ Revue” and was the emcee for “The Envelope Please” Broadway-style cabaret, a much loved St. James production. He also had memorable cameo roles in a handful of Trilogy Repertory summer productions at Pleasant Valley Park.

After several moves within Central New Jersey, Matt and Marion settled in The Hills in Bedminster in 2012. Matt continued to work on cases up until days before his death, as he was frequently sought after for his expertise and counsel, and his accomplishments were broadly recognized by his peers and colleagues. His many awards include membership in the Saint Benedict’s Athletic Hall of Fame, the Philip S. Sobel Award of the NJ Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts awarded in 2024 for dedication to family law and the principles of collaborative conflict resolution, and the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award of the New Jersey Psychological Association which will be awarded posthumously this October.

Matt’s most valued roles were those of husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He was at his happiest down the shore in Sea Girt, Sea Isle City, or Cape May spending time with family, driving his beloved Saab with the top down, or enjoying wine and a meal with his wife and friends in New York City or one of many, many restaurants throughout Northern Jersey. Matt was generous with his advice, thoughtful and encouraging in his conversation, and was a gentle perfectionist who extended his wisdom to countless friends and patients. His legacy will live on through all those who loved him and all of the lives he touched.

Matt is survived by his wife Marion Brady Hagovsky of Bedminster, NJ, his four children: Marion Drew (Harry) of Bernardsville, Beth Hagovsky (Sean Vereen) of Philadelphia, PA, Mathias Hagovsky (Julie Duffy) of Madison, NJ, and Gilbert Hagovsky (Kristin Kerr) of Summit, NJ; his seven grandchildren: Michael, Ryan, and Marion Doerr, Abigail and Xavier Vereen, and Shannon and Kerry Hagovsky; one great-grandchild: Ayla Doerr, as well as his brother, Albert Hagovsky and his sister-in-law, Colette, and their children: Albert (Amy), Lisa (Ryan McGroaty), and Lauren (Chris Felber).

Matt’s life will be celebrated at a viewing from 2:00-5:00 PM on Sunday, September 28th at Galloway and Crane in Basking Ridge and a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM on Monday, September 29th at Christ The King Church in New Vernon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

St. Benedict’s Prep: https://www.boostmyschool.com/orgs/sbp/campaigns/benedicts, or

Heights Philadelphia: https://heights.org/get-involved/donate/