Obituary of Matthew Richard Blundell
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and friend, Matt Blundell, at home on March 8th at the age of 51. Survived by his loving wife Melissa (Marquis), son Mason James, stepson Samuel Marquis and eternal best friends Kirk Seburn and Sean Book. He also leaves behind a large extended family and many friends.
He is predeceased by his parents, Lynn (Cuthbert) and Jim Blundell and his brother Andy.
Matt fought melanoma with unparalleled strength and grace and kept his sharp sense of humour through his last hours. Braveness is not the absence of fear, but rather the strength to move forward despite the fear.
Visitation will take place on Sunday March 12th at George Darte Funeral Home from 1-4pm and 6-8pm. The funeral service will take place Monday March 13th at George Darte Funeral Home at 11am with cremation to follow. If so desired donations to The Melanoma Canada or Habitat For Humanity Niagara would be appreciated by the family.
At birth we boarded the train of life and met our parents, and we believed that they would always travel by our side. However, t some station, our parents would step down from the train, leaving us on life's journey alone. As time goes by, some significant people will board: siblings, other children, friends and even the love of our life. Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Others will go so unnoticed that we won't realize that they vacated their seats! This train ride has been a mixture of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes and farewells. A successful journey consists of having a good relationship will all passengers, requiring that we give the best of ourselves. The mystery that prevails is that we do not know at which station we ourselves will step down; thus, we must try to travel along the track of life in the best possible way -- loving -- forgiving -- giving -- and sharing. When the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty, we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who continue to travel on the train of life. Matt you had a heck of a train ride. Thank-you for letting all of us be part of this ride.
Hey Pal
Thank-you all for being here to celebrate the life of Matt. I'm Wayne the Saskatchewan cousin. I am going to start with a poem I found that I know Matt would like. I am going to take a step back. Matt grew up in St. Catharines, went to school, started working various jobs from a young age, started his real working career in his first passion, started a family with the arrival of his son Mason, found his passion for cooking and started his ultimate career, met the love of his life, expanded on his family with Mellisa step son Sam and father-in-law Ken, bought his dream house with the love of his life. He was living his dream which is all we strive for. Growing up on Victoria Street with his Dad Jim, Mom Lynn and Brother Andy. He went to Edith Cavel School until grade 6 then Westdale for 7 and 8 and highschool at West Park. This journey lead him on his path of life. Here he met his friends, life long friends that no matter where life lead them were always around for the important moments and events. I moved to St. Catharines after highschool to pursue my work dream and Matt made sure I felt welcomed. He took me out and introduced me to his group of friends and they welcomed me with open arms. For that I am forever grateful. But that’s Matt’s mentality; always how can I make you happy; what can I do for you.
Matt had such a big life and touched so many people. I don’t know too many people that met Matt and didn’t have something wonderful to say about him. Matt truly had a gift at connecting with people and making them feel special whether it was with a smile or that laugh of his or his iconic greeting “Hey Pal”. Matt always made you feel like you mattered. Whether you were new to a place, city or even new to the country, having a bad day or needed something. Matt was there to help you, listen to you, teach you, guide you, give you the shirt off his back. This was Matt’s way.
Don’t get me wrong. Matt was also as stubborn as they come. He liked things done a certain way and if it wasn’t, you were sure to here about it. For a guy who always had a smile on his fact, trust me, sometimes it was upside down. Iconic saying “That’s Garbage”. Matt always loved tinkering with things. Loved to figure out how things worked and if they didn’t how to get them to work. So its no surprise he became a mechanic. Smart choice pal for reason we will get to later. Matt worked at various car dealerships from Welland to St. Catharines. He loved what he was doing, but always had a passion for recipes and cooking. Smoking and barbequing searching for and achieving that perfect piece of meat or meal. This finally led to his dream becoming reality. Redline BBQ Catering was born in 2009. This is where Matt shined. With me living so far away most of our phone calls were late at night when he was either prepping or cleaning up from an event. I even had the chance to help him a couple of times getting things ready and even being at the event. It was crazy. We would pick up supplies or as I told him the Nascar race around St. Catharines and Niagara Falls. His skill behind the wheel maybe made me pee my pants a little bit. I would always say why are you buying and making food for 300 people when the event is for 200. You are not going to make no money. He would reply I would rather have so much leftover and make no money than have one person not have enough to enjoy. This was Matt’s way always “Are we happy”, “Everyone else first mentality”.
When it comes to family Matt and I shared the same beliefs. Mason when you were born you were and are your Dad’s world. That was the start of Matt’s family. Yes we all have extended family parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles grandparents, but your family is your first priority. Mason I remember my calls with your Dad and he would always tell me what was happening in your life. New things you were doing and trying. I think his biggest pride was when you were finally taller than him. I could hear in his voice when we talked the pride he had in you. He loves you unconditionally. Matt’s family was not yet complete though back to the smart choice of becoming a mechanic. Mellisa enters into the picture 2012. Melissa was working at Hyundai and Matt was working at Performance as both companies were owned by same company. Matt would often take parts over to Hyundai. This is where he first laid eyes on Mellisa. Finally at a company golf tournament they had a chance to socialize and talk which led to a first date. Matt the romantic took Mellisa to Charles Daly Park where he had a tent set up and made her supper – shrimp and ceaser salad. The romance was on. After awhile Mellisa finally took Matt to meet her Dad. Now Ken knew some Blundell’s at the time and let’s just say it wasn’t a good relationship. So when Mellisa introduced Matt Ken had one question. Are you related to so and so. Once Matt said no Ken was ok. You’re good. Welcome. On Feb. 9, 2020 Matt completed his family marrying Mellisa in Las Vegas. Sam you officially became family. Your Mom has raised a fine, smart, wonderful young man and Matt loved you like the son you became to him. Ken I thank-you for being there for Mellisa and Matt. I know Matt loved you like a father.
Matt loved sports, music, Seinfeld, growing up playing hockey, baseball, guitar. As we got older he loved his Nascar even getting the chance to go to a race down in the states. Pool and darts were also a love. In darts he would let you feel like you were doing well until he decided it was game over. The Bills were our team n the NFL. So yes we have had many years of heartbreak. We witnessed the greatest playoff comeback together and went to Buffalo for multiple games. On one occasion we got to the stadium early for the tailgating. There were about a dozen of us. After a few sodas Matt had to relieve himself so he went a couple hundred yards to the edge of the parking lot to do his business and on his way back a dog started chasing him and put Matt up a concrete stand clinging onto a light pole yelling for help. We watched in amazement, no actually we were laughing our butts off while the dog took a piece of Matt’s pants as a sovenier. Matt thank-you for letting me be part of your train ride.
Its hard but we have to remember death is not the end. It is merely another step we must all take. For those of faith and sprituality that believe Matt is in heaven with God, death on earth is but His means to move to that eternal life to be reunited with his Mom and Dad and his brother Andy as well as all the other loved ones that have moved on to eternal life. And for all of us as long as we continue to keep Matt's memory within us and continue to live and grow, he will always be walking with us, watching with us, laughing with us, crying with us, being with us.
I am forever grateful to have been able to spend time with Matt and Mellisa as he fought this battle. We had serious talks, we laughed, we cried, we loved. One of my last conversations with Matt I asked him point blank; Why do you love Mellisa. His answer (after his pattenden laugh and some thought); she pushes me, challenges me, hold me accountable, and most importantly she loves me for who I am, all my good and bad. That to me is one hell of a train ride pal. Love ya