Obituary of Matthew Connor Michael Leavitt

Matthew loved and he loved in big ways. As a child he assumed everyone would be his friend. Time and heartbreak taught him differently. But as he matured Matthew recalibrated and decided to continue to extend his hand in friendship to everyone he met, he was hard-wired that way. Matthew loved family and holidays and having everyone together. He loved his sister Katie to the moon. He loved playing sports when he was young: tee-ball, baseball, soccer, hockey, judo, football. He loved when his home run cleared the bases and won the championship and he rode on the shoulders of his teammates all the way to the Dairy Queen, because he was only in Grade 4 and the rest of the team was in five and six. He loved that he won Athlete of the Year in Grade 7. He loved growing plants, most recently a miniature clementine tree that flourished on his balcony. He loved all animals and was devastated when a baby robin he rescued and nursed for days passed away. He loved the family dog, Nelson, and his cat Sloan who followed him everywhere. He loved music. He loved writing lyrics with friends and on his own, and singing and playing guitar. He loved writing poetry in his ornate vocabulary. He loved shopping for clothes. Recently Matthew’s fashion sense embraced bright colours from head to toe — his ‘American rapper’ period. He shared a passion for golf with his mother and loved their time playing together, especially when he won. In his last round this summer he had a long putt on the 9^th hole. He sank it for a birdie and the small crowd enjoying the warm September sun on the deck applauded and gave him thumbs up. “This is the perfect way for me to end my season,” he announced. He loved expensive coffees with names and ingredients that went on for hours. He loved Sylvia — his partner of seven years plus — with all his heart. He loved going on day trips with her, exploring towns and villages all over Southern Ontario. He loved making silly videos with her. He loved planning birthday parties and bringing us all together. He planned bowling parties, and an escape room last year that completely mystified the guests. We would still be locked in if the time hadn’t run out. The camera loved Matthew, and he was proud of his time as a fashion model, on the runway and in photographs. He was loyal to his friends and although they might have had falling outs he was always willing to accept responsibility or extend forgiveness. Matthew struggled with his mental health for almost twenty years. He never considered giving up. He left this world in a much quieter way than he lived in it. Last week’s overdose was a terrible accident, but we will celebrate the million other things that defined our beautiful boy. He will be forever missed by his father Michael and Sheryl, and his sister Katie; by his mother Brenda and Neil; and by his loving fiancée Sylvia.

A visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, on Monday, Nov. 25, from 3-6 p.m., with remarks at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Canadian Mental Health Association or House of Friendship in Matthew’s name.