Matthew Zelond

Matt is survived by his wife, Wendy; his son, Graeme; his parents, Grig and Inna Zelondzhev and his beloved mini dachshunds, Lucy and Rosy.

Matt was born on March 21, 1975, in Ukraine, and emigrated to the United States as a young boy. In Houston, Texas, he met Wendy, who would become his wife in 2008. Together they built a family and welcomed their son, Graeme, in 2011.

Being a husband and a father was the great pride of Matt’s life. He supported Wendy and Graeme in everything, without hesitation and condition, and they always knew he was in their corner. In 2013, the Zelond family said yes to a job opportunity in Calgary, Alberta which started their great Canadian adventure with moves to both Chatham and Toronto, Ontario. The years they spent in Chatham proved to be pivotal as they developed lifelong friendships and memories. In 2018, they made Grosse Pointe, Michigan their home and have enjoyed watching their son excel in academics and tennis, frequenting their favorite restaurants Side Street Diner and Champs and escaping Up North.

Matt was happiest in the kitchen. A graduate of the Culinary Institute LeNôtre in Houston, Texas, he had a true love for cooking and entertaining family and friends. He was always quick to offer his expertise to anyone around; tips on knife skills, seasoning combinations, recipes and the best local markets. Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday, with its perfect mix of food, friends and football (Go Lions)!

He was equally passionate about cars, and many have passed through his garage over the years. Cars, to Matt, symbolized freedom and the ingenuity of the human spirit. One of Matt’s prized cars was his 1991 Nissan Skyline GTR, imported from Japan with every modification and upgrade meticulously planned and executed. His most recent build, fulfilling a lifelong dream, was a 1965 Lincoln Continental. As a devoted Formula 1 fan, he attended many races and loved hearing the roar of the cars. He also loved to travel with Bermuda, Switzerland, Disney Cruises and Miami being some of his most memorable trips.

He lived his life in his own way, making the most of the time he had. Throughout his cancer battle, his mantra was “Keep Fighting” and he lived that to his final breath. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers, friends and family members who supported Matt at home, and to the staff of Henry Ford Hospital for the exceptional kindness, dignity, and care.