Obituary of MATTHEW MICHAEL RYGIEL

MATTHEW MICHAEL RYGIEL It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we are announcing the passing of Matthew Michael Rygiel. Our Matt (Tushi, Matty) has left us much too soon. Matthew passed away at home early Saturday morning, October 25, 2014, after battling skin cancer like a champion. Born September 20, 1986, Matthew was born with a rare genetic disorder called Epidermolysis Bullosa and even though every day activities were so painful, you wouldn’t meet a more positive and outgoing person. Matthew first started to make people smile in Kindergarten at Florence Nightingale School, where he made lifelong friends. His favourite super hero was Spiderman and even as an adult, wore his Spiderman costume with sewn-in muscles. Matthew attended Junior High School at Andrew Mynarski and then high school at Sisler. School was difficult for Matthew but he tried so hard. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, with a major in English, from the University of Winnipeg and surprised us all by joining a fraternity, Delta Upsilon. His brothers from DU made him feel so accepted and welcome, he loved hanging out with them. Even with his very limited ability to use his hands, he was an accomplished origami master and even learned how to drive. He cruised around with his Mini Cooper all over Winnipeg. He was so popular, always willing to attend an event (sometimes even organizing them himself). He was an active member of Toastmasters and Young Professionals, as well as an accomplished public speaker and comedian. Under the stage name “Matty Rage” being a comedian was a lifelong dream for Matthew. He made people laugh in Winnipeg and Toronto. He loved to visit his sister Marge all over Canada and his most favourite place was Las Vegas. His last trip was to Vancouver where he sat on the beach with his nephew Robert, telling him the ways of life. Our last time together, before he got really sick, was at our family cottage in Kenora where Matthew helped Robert to learn how to walk. He was a good man, an extraordinary brother, a wonderful son and an awesome uncle. He was such a gentleman, generous and so very kind. He was hilarious, an absolute joy to be around. We miss him so much. Matthew is survived by his parents, Ewa and Krzysztof Rygiel, his brother Peter, his sister Margaret (Bryan Mathes), his nephew Robert, his grandmother Eugenia Tawkin, his uncle Josef Golinski (Jola) and children (Diana and Daniel), his uncle Zbyszek Golinski (Irena) and children (Michael and Bobby) and his uncles in Poland Czeslaw Rygiel (Irena) and children (Ania and Lukasz) and Roman Fudali (Krystyna) and children (Grzegorz, Rafal, Marta and Mateusz) and his grandmother in Poland Zosia Fudali and the entire Kolodziej family Thank you to EMS and the firefighters who attended to Matthew, especially Chris Ducharme who was his childhood buddy. Thank you to the nursing staff on the 7th floor at HSC, especially Jenette who sang “Bananas” when it was time for his medicine. Thank you to the Palliative Home Care program, especially Lisa, who helped us bring him home. Thank you to all of the teachers and teachers assistants who helped him along the way at school, especially Mrs. Wasson (Korchynski). Thank you to the staff at MDA for his medical supplies. Thank you to all of his friends, he had so many, he cherished every one of you. Prayers will be said on Tuesday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 29 at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church, 341 Selkirk Avenue with cremation to follow. May you rest in peace Tushi, we hope you are healthy and happy in Heaven. We will always think of your big smile and beautiful eyes. You will be in our hearts forever.