Gifford Metz, 26, died on August 25, 2025.
Since the age of 18, Gifford carried the weight of depression while pursuing his dream of serving as a frontline soldier. After discovering at Dartmouth that the ROTC military training program was the only place he felt truly alive, he left school in 2018 to dedicate himself fully to soldiering. He excelled in many aspects of Army life, always striving to prove himself and to serve a greater purpose. He successfully completed Airborne School, along with Air Assault and Pathfinder schools in the US Army. He was a parachute rigger and had completed tens of jumps himself. Yet even with his many achievements, after eight years of challenges and triumphs, his illness overtook him. On August 25, 2025, in the barracks at Salt Lake City, Gifford tragically took his own life.
But Gifford’s story is not defined solely by his struggles. He was an accomplished skier, fearless on the slopes, and always encouraging his fellow skiers or the young athletes that he coached. He was somebody frequently remembered as “such a character.” He could be seen in his Russian fur hat and perhaps a bathrobe, or in mismatched plaid. On the slopes, he loved his olive green military onesie with fur hood. His quick wit and generous heart also left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. At his core, he had a passion for correcting the wrongs of this world. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Gifford, then 23, gave his entire savings account to the Ukrainian cause, leaving him with nothing, but he said that they needed it more than he did. His commitment to being a soldier was motivated by an underlying desire for the world to be free.
Gifford deeply loved his family. He shared a close bond with his older brother Connor, whose engagement to Hope Jimenez brought him great joy. Yet perhaps his greatest and purest love was for his younger brother, Harrison, eight years his junior. Their playful, affectionate bond was a constant source of roughhousing, noise, and laughter. After learning of the terrible news, Harrison—at just 18—demanded that we remember the “OG Gifford,” the (Original) version of him that was quirky, adventurous, and free, before the illness clouded his spirit. Thus, in Harrison’s wisdom, we find comfort and permission to honor Gifford for who he truly was at his core.
We have chosen a final resting place for Gifford at Woodlawn Cemetery in Wellesley, where space will be reserved for our whole family. In time, we will all be together again. Until then, may he rest in peace, remembered for his courage, his sincerity, his humor, and his unfettered OG core.
If anyone feels moved to honor Gifford’s memory, we share links to two charitable organizations below that were close to his heart, including one supporting Ukraine.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, September 8th, at 11 a.m. at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, followed by burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, then a reception at our home at 25 Whiting Road. We welcome all at the service, burial and reception.
Rest in peace Gifford (1998-2025),
Harrison, Connor, Jen and Travis
https://savelife.in.ua/en/donate-en/#donate-army-card-once
https://www.uso.org/donate/memorial-donation
A beautiful tribute. Heartfelt condolences to the family.
With heartfelt sympathy. May his memory be a blessing.
What a beautiful tribute to a remarkable young man. Gifford, I’m going to miss you until we meet up again further down the trail, Nephew. I’ll miss your sensitivity, your intelligence, your beautiful smile, and your brutal honesty and passion for causes that motivated you to act, like helping people in the Ukraine and serving your country. While some stood on the sidelines, you acted and I’ll be forever proud of you for having done so. In this sorrow, I take some comfort in our final conversations recently and how I let you know how proud we all are of the strides you had made with military life and always ending a convesation with a mutual “I love you.” So, instead of dwelling on the sadness of your untimely death, I’m going to hold on to pleasant memories of you quoting Churchill at 8 years of age and hearing your airborne stories of jumping from a perfectly good airplane. Love you, Giff
Found this beautiful tribute when a friend shared it to our WHS Class of 2017 Facebook group. In the years since high school graduation, I often thought of Gifford and wondered what he was up to. I didn’t know him closely, but we shared some classes in elementary and middle school and it was hard to forget the quirky, adventurous “character” that his family so lovingly describes here. I remember that fur hat! Sad to hear this news and wishing peace to the family.
This tribute is a gift to read and speaks to who Gifford is and was and will always be in your hearts and the hearts of all who knew him— and now those who did not have that good fortune but know him in memory, through you. I can feel his spirit and joy—and love. And I am holding him and you all in my heart as you move through this. Sending so much love.
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful man. Let his memory forever be a blessing. We are so much more than the struggles depression brings. Gifford is proof, and will live on in this stranger’s heart and mind as a life well lived, ended too soon. Sending endless love to you all during this difficult time.