Matthew Bunyea

Matthew Welles Bunyea, age 61 of Ruckersville, Virginia, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family as he went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. He was born on May 9, 1957. Matt is proceeded in death by his parents Wells and Jane Osbourn Bunyea, his favorite uncle, Joe Osbourn, cousin Joey Osbourn, his father-in-law, Reverend Jack Parrish, and his good friend Carroll Lamb, Jr.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and soulmate, Diane Parrish Bunyea. He is additionally survived by his daughter Kelly Bunyea Smoker and her husband Philip of Somerset, his son Brandon Parrish Bunyea and his wife Sarah of Stanardsville, as well as four grandchildren Tyler and his girlfriend Alexis, Will, Mason and Lily Bunyea. Matt is also survived by his brother Cliff Bunyea and his wife Doris of Charlottesville and his sister Jeannie Bunyea Smith of Ruckersville. Other survivors include his mother-in-law Glory Roach Parrish, sisters-in-law Marcia Parrish, Becky Parrish Sadler and her husband Barry, goddaughter and niece Jessica Sadler Dehoux and her husband Josh, nieces Adrienne Smith Carter and her husband Garrett, Alison Smith and her partner Daniel Romero, great nephews Jackson and Jameson Dehoux, his favorite aunt Darline Osbourn, cousin Rusty Osbourn, and close uncle Fred Osbourn. Matt had special relationships with extended family members including Geneva (Nennie) Marshall, Gary and LaVerne (Bootie) Shifflett, Lauren Shifflett and her partner Derek Harper and their children Willow and Autumn, and a host of close friends.

Matt was an ASE certified auto mechanic for 40 years and was the first certified Honda auto mechanic in the Charlottesville area. In addition to owning his own business, Matt’s Motor Repair on Emmet Street, he also worked for API Service Center for many years. Matt was a member of the United Methodist Church. He enjoyed Scouting, boating, water skiing, four wheeling, camping, fishing, vacationing with his family and friends, antiquing, thrifting with his daughter and son-in-law, collecting antique radios and water jugs, Christmas decorating, watching Redskins and UVA football, watching his grandchildren participate in sports such as football, swimming, wrestling, track, and ballet and retreating at his beloved cabin in West Virginia. Above all else he loved and put his family first. Matt had a loving spirit and never met a stranger. He performed random acts of kindness such as paying for the car behind him in the drive thru, buying meals for veterans, and coffee and hot cocoa for Salvation Army volunteers. Matt was also known as Daddy, Bro, Papa Bear, Papa Matt, Melvis (Diane’s Elvis), Matchew, Mr. Fix It (911 Matt), honorary “buddy”, and the Toy Whisperer.

Although Matt will be missed greatly, his generous spirit and legacy of love will live on. There will be a celebration of Matt’s life held on Saturday, August 4, 2018, at 2pm at Ivy Creek United Methodist Church, 684 Woodlands Road, Charlottesville, Va. 22901. The service will be officiated by Reverend Ed Rigg and Reverend David Ford.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, Va. 22911 or Mission Charlottesville, PO Box 5243, Charlottesville, Va. 22905. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at UVA Medical Center, as well as the following providers: Drs. Zaydfudim, Hu, Haskal, Silvestre, Intagliata, and his PCP, Christy Dubroff of Riverside Primary Care. The family would also like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Spectrum Physical Therapy in Ruckersville and to the staff at The Laurels of Charlottesville.