Matthew Belkin

Matthew Belkin, 86, of Palm Coast, FL. passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on March 10, 2022. Matthew, better known to his familiars as Dima, was born in Poland, on April 11, 1935.

When Matthew was only 4 years of age, his family fled to escape the Nazi Germany's invasion, when somewhere in the Urals' area of Russia, they had to beg for food just to survive. Poignantly, Russia proved very poor haven because, soon enough, little Matthew and his family found themselves in the hands of the Gestapo. This was during the occupation of Voronezh where they ended up after

many tribulations. Marching in the death column, his family was only spared, for a time, on account of their non-Jewish physical features and escaped, by chance or miracle, on account of the city's (January 1943) liberation. From the start, Matthew's life was marked by extreme poverty, deprivation, and a drive to survive. His father was twice imprisoned under Stalin's regime and died in the second term, leaving the family bereft. As a youngster, in the aftermath of the WWI, Matthew worked at a factory alongside adult men, fulfilling onerous quotas put upon everybody, young or old. This was the Stalinist era when the smallest of transgressions was punishable with draconian penalties. Once, for being ten minutes late, Matthew was deprived of a salary and food coupons for a whole month. This was a pivotal moment in Matthew's life when he became determined to escape the Stalinist regime and to fight his way to a place where his hard work might be rewarded in a fair manner. The opportunity only came by the age of thirty-seven, when Matthew was able to emigrate to the USA. From his youth, Matthew was mechanically

oriented. He had earned a degree from a Moscow University and worked as an engineer in charge of various projects. It was his love of cars that came in handy when he found himself in New York, where driving a yellow cab was an obvious choice for a hard-working immigrant. While doing so, he acquired the knowledge and experience of places and people. Soon enough, his hard work, perseverance an ingenuity paid off. First, he purchased a taxicab medallion and started his own service. Next, he opened a

lucrative car-washing business in NYC he would operate for 10 years. In short, from a poor refugee for a birthright, owing to none but his own abilities, Matthew became a successful and affluent businessman.

Yet, Mathew's story was not complete until, in 1994, he met the love of his life, Valentina. They were married in 1998 and moved, in 1999, to Palm Coast, Florida, where they built their dream house. Together, they traveled the world, exploring Europe, Africa, South America, and Canada. But there was no place like their Palm Coast home, where they enjoyed an active lifestyle, be it skiing or fishing.

Matthew's competitive love of cooking was only epic. He loved to prepare most extravagant dishes for his friends and family and argue for days about the recipes that could be made better. We may attribute this to a near starvation he had experienced in his young age, or to the heart of a generous man who wanted

to feed anybody he could. In Russia, Matthew had been married with a child, but divorced. While his

ex-wife did not wish to join him, he brought in and took care of his daughter, his mother, and other family members. He made sure that Valentina's son was able to come and become a citizen of the USA.

At all times, Matthew was a most devoted husband to Valentina. He doted on her, he encouraged and supported her in her pursuit of her own dreams when she earned a nursing degree at the age of fifty.

Matthew was a man of many talents, accomplishments, triumphs, and iron determination. But to his wife and friends, he will be remembered, most and forever, for his loving nature and gentle demeanor. He will be missed always and mourned by anyone who has ever known him.

A visitation for Matthew will be held Sunday, March 13, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home, 511 Old Kings Road South, Flagler Beach, Florida 32136. A funeral service will occur Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 3:30 PM, 511 Old Kings Road South, Flagler Beach, Florida 32136. A celebration of life/reception will occur Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 4:00 PM, 511 Old Kings Road South, Flagler Beach, Florida 32136.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.craigflaglerpalms.com for the Belkin family.