Mr. Matthew Matt James Watson

On Sunday morning July 7th, 2013 at the lake in Kenora, Ontario, Matthew Watson passed away in the arms of his beloved wife. He is survived by his wife Alyssa Reid and loyal companion Nokya, devoted mother Barbara Watson, father Daniel Watson, grand parents Lorenzo and Hazel Sewell, brother Adrian (Julie) and niece Heaven’ly Sewell Watson, uncles and aunts John, Sharnet, Maggie, Michael, Ava, Harry, and cousin Tanika, his Reid family Gwen, Patricia, Wesley and many other family, cousins, friends and business associates.

Matt was born in Toronto in 1980 and spent his childhood in Etobicoke where the pool was his favorite spot in the summer. In recent years his favorite summer spot was at the lake, and he was the first in the family to get his boat license. Matt enjoyed spending time with family and friends travelling, golfing, camping, boating, watching baseball, being at the lake or just chillin’ out.

Matt had a true appreciation for life and walked through it with positivity even after having heart failure 15 years ago and kidney failure 3 years ago. He was featured in his Superman Jersey in Macleans Magazine as one of the first people to leave the hospital with a LVAD device before he received his heart transplant in Ottawa in 2002. Matt was a founding member of Heartlinks Manitoba in 2007 where he served in various capacities on the board of directors since its inception.

Matt attended Carlton University and later the University of Manitoba where in 2009 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Matt held interesting jobs over the years where he flashed his smile and used his charm to succeed. He later started his own cleaning business called Spar-Clean.

Matt had an adventurous spirit and traveled all over the world whether he was tubing down the river at Red Lake Falls, cruising in a convertible along the California coast, with his family in Jamaica or galavanting across Europe he especially enjoyed Switzerland and Paris. Matt was bigger than life and has a sweet tooth to match he also had and a taste for the finer things in life, his favorite hotel was the Bellagio.

Matt was cared for by many doctors, nurses and hospital staff over the years and the family would like to extend their thanks to those who went out of their way to help him.

Honorary Pallbearers: Dan, Sam, Wes, Adrian, Ali, Dorian, Will, Stephan, Cas, Mike D., Ibrahm and John.

Viewing and Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2013 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at Thomson “In The Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 12, 2103 at 2:30pm at Knox United Church, 400 Edmonton St.