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Former supervisor, playwright, veteran, supporter of good causes, and Santa Cruz's best barkeep Chris Matthews died over the weekend, and we will all miss him.  I've been reading the kind and generous tributes to Chris which follow the Sentinel article and I notice a lot of them come from across the country.  His influence was far and wide.

Chris made the Poet & Patriot feel like a home, all the regulars are like a family, and every time I go there I never feel like a stranger.  One time, I was trying to get to the     P. & P. before happy hour ended at 6PM.  When I got there, it was maybe a minute after six.  I asked Chris if I could still a couple of pints at the happy hour price (one was for my friend who was trailing behind me, honest it was).  He looks at me and says, 'And give me a good reason why I should.'  I removed my hat, held it to my chest, and said something beseeching.  I can't remember what I said, but whatever it was, it was good enough for Chris.  I'll miss him forever.