We are heartbroken to announce the sudden but peaceful passing of Matthew Jonathan Smyk, age 51, on April 8, 2022 with family by his side, after fighting a brave and unwavering battle against cancer.

Matthew was born on March 28, 1971, in Montreal, Québec to Stanley and Hélène. He grew up in Pierrefonds where he attended Fathers of Confederation, Terry Fox, Loyola High School, Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School and John Abbott College. Matthew spent his summers at Brook Park playing baseball, swimming at Briarwood pool, swimming, fishing, dirt biking and boating at the family country place on Lac Labelle. He spent his winters playing hockey at the Pierrefonds Arena and skiing at his favourite hills in Québec and Vermont.

Matthew followed his passion and had a long career as a talented and respected long-haul commercial truck driver. He travelled throughout North America in this career that he loved so much. Matthew settled in Vaudreuil where he and Eleni had their beautiful daughter, Sara Olympia in 2005.

To say that Sara was the apple of Matthew’s eye would be an understatement. Their shared sense of humour, time, and interests in YouTube, aviation, vloggers, auto racing, the Habs, and Starbucks lead to a best friendship between them.

In 2016, Matthew and Sylvie found each other. The love, care, concern and friendship they shared were evident to anyone who saw them together. Sylvie and Matthew travelled together to the U.S.A., Toronto, Thunder Bay and beyond to visit friends and family. They resided together in Vaudreuil with their children, Sara, Louis and Lili, and Biscuit, the bunny. They shared many great years and memories together.

Maff/ Matts was a dreamer. He was loved by everyone and was everybody’s friend. An easy-going, warm, funny and non-boastful presence in any room. When he became interested in something, he learned everything there was to know – and loved to discuss it with fellow fans. He always made the people he was speaking with feel very important.

Matthew will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his partner, Sylvie Baillargeon (and her children Louis and Lili), his cherished daughter Sara Olympia Smyk, beloved mother Hélène Makely, sister Tanya Smyk (Andrew Hanlon), brother Christopher Smyk (Andrea Hiscock), nephew/Godson Robert Jonathan (RJ) MacMinn, niece Jaime Smyk, nephew Bode Smyk, Sara’s Mother Eleni Volis (Daniel), Sylvie’s parents, Paul Baillargeon & Yolande Gadoury. Many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and very close friends are also left to mourn.

Matthew would want us to pay special thanks to his late father’s friends and family for the love and support they provided him since Stan’s passing in 2001. They never let Matthew forget him.

Matthew was predeceased by his father Stanley Richard Smyk, grandparents Roland Smyk and Jennie Krupa, grandparents Howard and Claudine Makely and adored Uncle Adam Zygmuntowicz.

Matthew’s family would like to thank the medical professionals who worked very hard to give him the longest life possible in the years following his diagnosis, namely Dr. Roger Tabah, who treated Matthew like a son, and the doctors, nurses and staff at the McGill University Health Centre.

Cremation has taken place. A private celebration of Matthew’s life will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, take in a Habs game. Watch F1. Binge-watch your favourite vlogger. Go sit at your local airport and watch the planes land and take off. Listen to RUSH. Enjoy a great meal, preferably in Montréal. Have a Flat White at Starbucks. These are all things Matthew would want to share with you.