Matt was larger than life. Kind, generous, fun. Endlessly devoted to his daughters, family, and friends. Passionate about living an authentic life and making the world a better place. He was magnetic, powerful, entrepreneurial, intelligent, thoughtful, funny, and loving. We feel so fortunate to have known him and to have shared a beautiful time in our lives with him.

I will always remember his energy and giant heart.  His impromptu visits, his passionate discourse, his encouragement, his support when we had our children and his joy when his girls were born. His spontaneity and craziness- he and Vero impulsively inviting us to visit parcels of land in the country-side, happy birthday messages in song, backyard shenanigans, island dreaming and scheming, home-made scones when our son was born, park meet-ups with his girls in tow, always a bike nearby, celebratory moments, climbing through windows instead of doors, and swimming pool silliness.

Matt was one of a kind. A heart so big that he always made you feel loved and important. 

We are profoundly sad that he is no longer here with us. 

Mes sincères condoléances, du fond du cœur, à toute la famille et aux proches. My sincere condolences to all of Matthew’s loved ones. Je suis sous le choc du départ de Matty et mes pensées sont avec vous à distance. My heart is with you.

J’ai rencontré Matt à McGill il y a presque dix ans, alors que je commençais mon doctorat et que je souhaitais m’impliquer au sein de la sphère environnementale de l’université et de la ville. Nouvelle résidente de Montréal, Matt m’a propulsée dans le milieu environnemental montréalais, particulièrement via la Coalition Climat Montréal qu’il a fondée. À notre première rencontre, son énergie lumineuse m’a éblouie et je savais que j’avais envie de travailler à la cause environnementale à ses côtés. Matt était tellement invitant et chaleureux, naturellement il arrivait à ce que toutes celles et ceux qui souhaitent contribuer à la cause environnementale y trouvent leur place, chacun.e à leur manière. Matt m’a éventuellement nommée comme ambassadrice du mouvement pour une ville carboneutre au 400ème de la ville de Montréal. J’étais très émue qu’il voie en moi une porteuse de cette cause. Matt a cru en moi, même si j’étais une jeune étudiante timide et insécure, cherchant ma place dans cette grande cause qu’est l’action climatique. Je l’admirais tellement, et sa confiance m’a propulsée.

Je me rappelle nos nombreuses discussions dans des cafés de Montréal, à rêver aux transformations sociales qui rendront notre société plus juste et écologique, à notre rôle dans cette transition. Matt croyait en ces transformations, il avait une conviction et un espoir vibrants, qui nourrissaient ma motivation à agir, toujours plus. Matt était un rêveur réaliste, il nous amenait à bâtir des visions d’un futur Montréal carboneutre, et à enraciner ces visions d’un monde meilleur par des actions porteuses, rassembleuses, visionnaires.

J’admirais Matt, il était pour moi un ‘role model’, un mentor, un ami. Matt est une personne qui me donnait foi en l’humanité. Sa bonté, son enthousiasme, son authenticité, sa conviction, sa lumière. Matt a profondément marqué mon parcours, il a été une source d’inspiration qui me porte et me portera toujours. Les mots sont insuffisants pour témoigner de mon admiration et de ma reconnaissance pour toi Matty. Je vais continuer dans ce chemin qu’est l’implication environnementale, toujours avec une pensée pour toi, pour réaliser ces visions d’un monde vert et juste que tu nous as amené à nourrir. Merci, merci tellement, Matthew. 

To be fair, I stole this photo from Matt's Aloha Car Care website. I don't remember exactly when first met Matt, it was somewhere around 1996 or 1997 at APC. We were in a few church productions together, Christmas and Easter and many Youth Group events. 

It wasn't until a few years later, probably 2002 or 03, at one of APC's epic church picnics that Matt and I ended up at the same table. I was a Young Driver's Instructor at the time, and Matt had just launched his Aloha Car Care detailing business.  I can still picture Matt arriving at my door, wearing his Aloha t-shirt with a giant smile on his face as he asked me which tropical scent I would like to choose for my car. This was the first of many times where Matt cleaned my car. I don't know if I was Matt's best customer, but I did get him to clean my car often, and my family member's cars.

Another memory I have of Matt is going to see him perform in the musical "Sweeney Todd". Matt's beautiful voice could be heard over everyone else's yet it complimented them all. 

Matt and I lost touch for several years. I was fortunate enough to reconnect with him this past Summer when he and Vero so generously offered us to use their apartment for a week while they were away. This led to many conversations, including one where Matt passionately explained Ile a la Truie, why they purchased it and Matt and Vero's plans for its future. I could picture Matt's face light up as he shared his excitement for his project.

Matt gave 110% to everything he set his mind to. He listened with intent and made you feel like you were the most important person in the room. Matt was so talented in music and in life. The world is a better place because Matt lived. I know his legacy will live on through Vero, Ady and Flora. 

During one of our many text conversations, I was telling Matt about making maple syrup. I mentioned that maple trees need to be about 40 years old before you can tap them. Matt replied, "40 years old, dang I am planting maples for my children's children to enjoy. All the better". 

Some people just leave an everlasting impact on your life, and that was Matt! Since the beginning of our friendship in grade 10, Matt was always such a positive, encouraging and thoughtful person. So many memories and experiences that I will cherish always!

Even  After high school, Matt was always there to capture many of the important milestones in my life through his dad’s camera lense, not just because he was a man of many talents, but because he cared and always wanted to celebrate the milestones alongside myself and my family. Dance studio portraits for all of our students, my fashion show collection for my graduating year, family portraits with my sister and parents, my engagement photos…all captured by Matt because he was always there, a big smiling cheerleader with a huge heart! And when we hadn’t chatted in a while, he was always the one to poke and extend an invite, many invites that I regret declining because life got busy, but I’m going to try to be more like Matt, be more present, engaging and “poke” those I care about more often. Make the time for things that are truly important. I never had the pleasure of meeting Vero or his beautiful children, but I hope to one day, and share more memories of my dear friend Matt. Sending so much love to the family xo

I have known Matt on the Démocratisons Montréal Collective. He brought such a good and positive energy to our group and was always passionate about our projects. My deepest sympathies go his daughters, his family and his loved ones.

Hugues