Obituary of Matthew Vanderheyden

VANDERHEYDEN, Matthew Gerald - died on November 6th 2013 at home surrounded by his family. Very much loved by his children, and grandchildren, Jennifer Vanderheyden and her two sons, Benjamin and Jonathan Correia of Strathroy, Derek and Kimberly Vanderheyden (Yamamoto) and their two sons, Dane and Brock of Drumbo, Andrea and Joshua Slaght, and their two children, Caitlin and Nathan of Lucan, Ryan and Rachel Vanderheyden (Boersma), and their two children, Kyle and Kyra of Strathroy, Margaret Vanderheyden, mother of his children and companion in his life journey for 46 years. Matthew was the youngest son of Herman (1966) and Louisa Vanderheyden (1999). He was a brother to Peter & Lena, Jackson, Tennessee, Bill & Elsie, Calgary, Bert & Linda, Tennessee, John & Annie, St. Thomas, Mary & Tony Van Kessel (2010), Chatham, Joanne & Dave Baxter, Port Burwell, Bill & Antonia Megens (1996) Guelph, Tony (1989) & Maria Le Blanc, Strathroy, Lou & Jane, Strathroy, Cor & Teresa, Warwick, Herman & Margaret, Arkona, Fieny & Lloyd McDougall, Adelaide, Betty & Farrell Mc Innis, Melbourne. As well, 45 nieces and nephews. Born January 15th 1949 in De Mortel, Nord Brabandt, Netherlands, Matthew immigrated with his family to Brundenelle, in the Ottawa Valley, in 1951. A family in the tobacco business, his early years saw several moves to Waterdown, Ingersol, Port Burwell, calling Strathroy home in 1960. Matthew was a transport driver for Mill Creek Motor Freight, Cambridge, Ontario achieving the Driver Safety Award year after year. He found the beauty and serenity of the West Virginia Mountains, the sun rising and setting below the horizons, a glimpse of God's greatness and the gift within his work. Since leaving Mill Creek Motor Freight in 2006, Matthew's years at home were filled with spending time with his family, getting grandchildren off and on the school bus, driving them to and from hockey arenas, dance studios, watching them play soccer and hockey, watching his all time favorite, Hockey Night in Canada, walking his Boxer, Lucky, and daily visits to Tim Hortons for coffee . A humble man of few words, he was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren, and was strengthened by their love as he courageously moved through the last days of his cancer journey. Visitation will be in the form of an Open House as his children welcome family and friends on November 8th, 2013 from 1 pm - 8 pm at 3 Charles Blvd., Strathroy, Ontario, N7G 3X2. Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Lucio Couto on Saturday November 9th 2013, at 11 am. Interment All Saints Roman Catholic Cemetery, Metcalfe Street, Strathroy. Donations may be made to the VON Adult Day Program, the VON Palliative Care Program, or the Canadian Cancer Society.