Matt aka Ginja
- Thread starter V6SINGH
- Start date
Really do not know what to say to this sad news. It is hard to accept this has happened right now. I really do feel for his wife and family right now, so young and such a massive loss.
One thing I will always remember about him was his love for Ford's and the Cougar. I have never meet anyone else that had such a love for a single car brand like Matt did. He was a true gentleman and stood tall always. He put up such a brave fight and never moaned once about his illness. RIP buddy, you will always be remembered and missed by all.
One thing I will always remember about him was his love for Ford's and the Cougar. I have never meet anyone else that had such a love for a single car brand like Matt did. He was a true gentleman and stood tall always. He put up such a brave fight and never moaned once about his illness. RIP buddy, you will always be remembered and missed by all.
Something that made me chuckle was at fest 2009 when due to a printing error, Matt aka Ginja (as in Ninja for any of the newer members that didn't know, due to his martial arts training) got his club shirt, typical of him that he still wore it with pride despite the obvious error.
Rich, that was a very honest and moving eulogy in post #19, by someone who clearly knew Matt well. Thanks for sharing it.
Something that made me chuckle was at fest 2009 when due to a printing error, Matt aka Ginja (as in Ninja for any of the newer members that didn't know, due to his martial arts training) got his club shirt, typical of him that he still wore it with pride despite the obvious error.
He really didn't take anything to heart iirc Kully stitched him up with this teeshirt and like you said he never bore a grudge.
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I've been reading through all the messages and moving tributes to Matt both on here and FB, I've shed a few tears today.
I don't know what to say other than what others more eloquent than I have already said. I was in total shock when the new broke, and I think I still am. It just goes to show what a merciless bitch cancer is. To have lost his fight mere days after marrying Emma - the love of his life - is truly heart breaking. I cannot begin to imagine what Emma is going through at this time. I can only express mine and Kathy's sincere condolences, and our thoughts are with Emma, Tina and both sides of the family.
As said earlier, Matt was one of the quieter ones in the club but always made the effort to attend as many shows as he could. You saw the real Matt on the 'sleepover' shows (Fest/Combe etc) when you got to spend more time with him and chat away. The brunt of many pranks and jokes but he always took it with good humour and often gave it back to the culprits! Always smiling, always having a laugh. He was one of the first to spend time with me and Kathy at a very nervous first Fest in 2010 (when we hid by the tent on the first night). Always worked his socks off in the mornings at Combe to make sure everyone was full of bacon before the early departure to the track. Still had the enthusiasm to come to shows and events even after he was forced to sell on his treasured C2.
Rest in peace Matt, taken from us far too soon. Find yourself a nice frosty C2 up there and mod it to your heart's content
I don't know what to say other than what others more eloquent than I have already said. I was in total shock when the new broke, and I think I still am. It just goes to show what a merciless bitch cancer is. To have lost his fight mere days after marrying Emma - the love of his life - is truly heart breaking. I cannot begin to imagine what Emma is going through at this time. I can only express mine and Kathy's sincere condolences, and our thoughts are with Emma, Tina and both sides of the family.
As said earlier, Matt was one of the quieter ones in the club but always made the effort to attend as many shows as he could. You saw the real Matt on the 'sleepover' shows (Fest/Combe etc) when you got to spend more time with him and chat away. The brunt of many pranks and jokes but he always took it with good humour and often gave it back to the culprits! Always smiling, always having a laugh. He was one of the first to spend time with me and Kathy at a very nervous first Fest in 2010 (when we hid by the tent on the first night). Always worked his socks off in the mornings at Combe to make sure everyone was full of bacon before the early departure to the track. Still had the enthusiasm to come to shows and events even after he was forced to sell on his treasured C2.
Rest in peace Matt, taken from us far too soon. Find yourself a nice frosty C2 up there and mod it to your heart's content
I too have been reading it all on here and facebook.
Richb's post sums things up to a tee.
Listen, me and Matt had our differences, but I think we got over those a few months ago, and I am so bloody glad we did.
No-one deserves this....certainly not in their early 40's....having just recently found and married the love of their life.
Not really anything else I can say - there are people here who knew you far better than me.
Regardless, rest in peace young man - rest in peace.
Richb's post sums things up to a tee.
Listen, me and Matt had our differences, but I think we got over those a few months ago, and I am so bloody glad we did.
No-one deserves this....certainly not in their early 40's....having just recently found and married the love of their life.
Not really anything else I can say - there are people here who knew you far better than me.
Regardless, rest in peace young man - rest in peace.
I've considered at length what to write here.
Having known Matt for a couple of years, it's fair to say there were times we didn't get along, and it would be dishonest of me to say otherwise. Matt was certainly a unique character!
It's also true that recently my attitude toward him changed, and I realised that Matt was just, well, Matt.
I visited him just two week's ago to pick up some cougar wheels he had no use for, and was struck by two things..
Firstly his generosity when he also gave me a bag full of paint that he didn't need, there must have been close to thirty quid's worth in there.
Secondly, his obvious decline in health. People close to me will no doubt remember me phoning them after that visit and remember my shock at just how ill he looked. There was a horrible realisation in me that day that I was looking at a man coming to the end of his fight.
We chatted for a bit (mainly about the Kuga!) and said our goodbyes and that we'd meet again soon at Fest, and I'm sad that that will no longer be true.
As for that paint - well some of that is now adorning my rocker covers, Matt was always passionate about the Cougar and it's very fitting that a donation from him will be forever on a Cougar, I suspect he'd like that.
Having known Matt for a couple of years, it's fair to say there were times we didn't get along, and it would be dishonest of me to say otherwise. Matt was certainly a unique character!
It's also true that recently my attitude toward him changed, and I realised that Matt was just, well, Matt.
I visited him just two week's ago to pick up some cougar wheels he had no use for, and was struck by two things..
Firstly his generosity when he also gave me a bag full of paint that he didn't need, there must have been close to thirty quid's worth in there.
Secondly, his obvious decline in health. People close to me will no doubt remember me phoning them after that visit and remember my shock at just how ill he looked. There was a horrible realisation in me that day that I was looking at a man coming to the end of his fight.
We chatted for a bit (mainly about the Kuga!) and said our goodbyes and that we'd meet again soon at Fest, and I'm sad that that will no longer be true.
As for that paint - well some of that is now adorning my rocker covers, Matt was always passionate about the Cougar and it's very fitting that a donation from him will be forever on a Cougar, I suspect he'd like that.
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There is a side to this club that not many people would understand,when there is pain we all feel it and to read some of the posts its shows what a remarkable place with such remarkable people it is , its more than a club it is a family.I did not know Matt that well personally but i feel like i knew him by reading these posts -loved a joke,open and honest and above all a fighter.
Matt will live on in our hearts, like the others before him and will always have a special place in UKCougar
Matt will live on in our hearts, like the others before him and will always have a special place in UKCougar
He definitely was King for the day. Absolutely on top of the world he was.
Thank you everyone for the really lovely things written. I've said on Facebook and will here, I might not get chance to thank everyone individually but please please know I'm grateful. As will his family and Emma be when I show them.
The last 4 days have been an absolute tornado of emotions and far from easy. All those calls this morning, repeating it again and again just seemed so unreal. I'm not certain it's fully sank in now.
Matt was, is, will always be a legend. One of the old squad, the single most dedicated promoter of the Cougar 2. Second to none, an inspiration to all and absolutely determined.
I don't think I can muster another long tribute to him, I've busied myself all day with the memorial page, sorting photos, phoning etc.
Please continue to share stories and stuff, it's those memories that will be his legacy.
Thank you everyone for the really lovely things written. I've said on Facebook and will here, I might not get chance to thank everyone individually but please please know I'm grateful. As will his family and Emma be when I show them.
The last 4 days have been an absolute tornado of emotions and far from easy. All those calls this morning, repeating it again and again just seemed so unreal. I'm not certain it's fully sank in now.
Matt was, is, will always be a legend. One of the old squad, the single most dedicated promoter of the Cougar 2. Second to none, an inspiration to all and absolutely determined.
I don't think I can muster another long tribute to him, I've busied myself all day with the memorial page, sorting photos, phoning etc.
Please continue to share stories and stuff, it's those memories that will be his legacy.
I have a memory embedded in my brain from Ford Fair a few years back. We were all being organised into position by Tim. Matt was out of position, so Tim tried to direct him which involved a reverse manouvre. As I was chatting to Matt, i moved away from the car and noticed a cone in his path, so i said "mind the cone Matt, it's right behind you". I think he must have seen another cone somewhere because he ran squarely over that one .
God bless you Matt.
.God bless you Matt.
For those who are not on Facebook, there are a lot of photos that have been added to the Memorial Page that has been set up. I thought I'd post a few of the memories from over the years I've known Matt:
Castle Combe 2011 - not quite sure what Matt's expression was related to. Perhaps he realised how early he'd be up cooking breakfast?
Fest 2011 - Ginja Maul
Fest 2012 - Matt and Emma who we'd met for the first time I think?
Fest 2012 again - I'm sure you could make your own caption for this one But in truth I think he was fishing out an 80s CD for the gathered drinkers on the Saturday evening:
The UKC Xmas bash 2012 - Matt and Emma - lots of food, drink and helium
But of course.....I have saved the best for last.......
From Tatton Park 2011. Erm.......
Castle Combe 2011 - not quite sure what Matt's expression was related to. Perhaps he realised how early he'd be up cooking breakfast?
Fest 2011 - Ginja Maul
Fest 2012 - Matt and Emma who we'd met for the first time I think?
Fest 2012 again - I'm sure you could make your own caption for this one
But in truth I think he was fishing out an 80s CD for the gathered drinkers on the Saturday evening:
The UKC Xmas bash 2012 - Matt and Emma - lots of food, drink and helium
But of course.....I have saved the best for last.......
From Tatton Park 2011. Erm.......
If anyone wants to view or join the Facebook page, it's quite fittingly : www.facebook.com/Cougar2Matt
Since hearing the news while sitting an exam today i have been lost for words, I have not shed a tear for anything for a very long time, but today broke that, I did not know Matt as well as others but the time spent with Matt at Combe and the Christmas doo's made me realise what a gent he really was, we used to talk about 80s music, Vinyl records, Cougars and Kung-fu, seeing him at Tim and Rachels wedding shocked all of us, but most of all made us realise what a strong man he really was, The love for Emma and family, and the fight he had in him to not let this horrible illness ruin the time he had doing the things he loved with the people he cared about.
Trying to find some photo's tonight of Matt looking through the Cougar stuff i have has made me also realise this club is special in many ways and i have been privileged to be in the company of some fantastic people that founded it. Matt was certainly one of them guys.
Rest in peace Matt, time for a catch up and chat about all things Cougar with Chris..
I want to write more but am totally lost for words..
Trying to find some photo's tonight of Matt looking through the Cougar stuff i have has made me also realise this club is special in many ways and i have been privileged to be in the company of some fantastic people that founded it. Matt was certainly one of them guys.
Rest in peace Matt, time for a catch up and chat about all things Cougar with Chris..
I want to write more but am totally lost for words..
I still don't have the words to pay a fitting tribute, especially after some of the fine ones already written.
But I do have a couple of pics.
Ford Fair 2007
Matt enjoying a cruise on the Silverstone circuit
CougarFest 2010
The Mutant Ginja Turtle
But I do have a couple of pics.
Ford Fair 2007
Matt enjoying a cruise on the Silverstone circuit
CougarFest 2010
The Mutant Ginja Turtle
Wow. This thread takes some reading gentlemen. I had tears in my eyes at work yesterday after the calls from Steve and Rob, they're back again now.
It has taken me quite a while to find a way to respond here, or at least pen a response which is in some way worthy of the man.
I'm not going to try and paint an imaginary picture where Matthew and I were the closest of friends; I didn't know him long enough, or well enough, to begin to do so. What I can say is that on every occasion we met he was amongst the friendliest and most good natured guys I could ever hope to have come across. A wealth of character, to the point in fact that even before I met him he had made a lasting impression on me.
As some of you will know I originally joined this community as very much a fringer a good few years ago - I had a Cougar but I also had the wrong attitude towards that Cougar. Nonetheless I did sign up here, sought advice and browsed around. Not much later though I destroyed the bottom end of my car and faded away from UKC having made nary a dent, I imagine. Upon my return I recognised only two names, one I will spare embarassment but the other was Matt, the Teenage Mutant Ginja Ninja.
Like many of us, I imagine, the past 24 hours or so have been spent in deep thought; of Emma, Matt's new bride and the incredible loss she must be feeling, of both families, of his friends, his Best Man, Kully, who it must be said has done and continues to do his friend proud but mostly of Matthew who lost his fight far too young but fought it with a courage and a resolve which has inspired many and of which I stand in awe.
I, again similarly to many of us, am only a shade younger than Matthew, and have looked inwardly too this past day. We are often so glib with our time here and too easily allow relationships, friendships slip because of a myriad reasons. Seeing the photographs of the wedding just a few short days ago, Matt walking tall, have moved me deeply to hold tight to those in my life that matter. The sheer grit of that day truly amazes me and as Kully has said so eloquently, Matt put all his strength into it, determined to marry the woman he loved so very much. I hope Emma can take some solace in that, for there is no doubt at all she was his world. We often say things like "I'd do anything for you". Matthew lived those words.
Emma, Tina, the families; my deepest sympathies at what must be an impossibly difficult time. No words of mine could ever lighten the load you carry, just know that you are in our thoughts.
Matthew; I'm sorry there wasn't more time for us to get to know one another but I thank you for being so welcoming to me and for the impact your bravery and determination have had on me, my friendships and my impending marriage. There's a little piece of what I'm told is a C2 in my car and for as long as I have a Cougar I promise you there always will be. To say you will be missed in this community is the greatest of understatements; you very much shaped this place. You knew and cherished the special nature of UKC. Perhaps the greatest tribute we can give you is to cherish and nurture it too?
Farewell Matt, I am grateful.
It has taken me quite a while to find a way to respond here, or at least pen a response which is in some way worthy of the man.
I'm not going to try and paint an imaginary picture where Matthew and I were the closest of friends; I didn't know him long enough, or well enough, to begin to do so. What I can say is that on every occasion we met he was amongst the friendliest and most good natured guys I could ever hope to have come across. A wealth of character, to the point in fact that even before I met him he had made a lasting impression on me.
As some of you will know I originally joined this community as very much a fringer a good few years ago - I had a Cougar but I also had the wrong attitude towards that Cougar. Nonetheless I did sign up here, sought advice and browsed around. Not much later though I destroyed the bottom end of my car and faded away from UKC having made nary a dent, I imagine. Upon my return I recognised only two names, one I will spare embarassment but the other was Matt, the Teenage Mutant Ginja Ninja.
Like many of us, I imagine, the past 24 hours or so have been spent in deep thought; of Emma, Matt's new bride and the incredible loss she must be feeling, of both families, of his friends, his Best Man, Kully, who it must be said has done and continues to do his friend proud but mostly of Matthew who lost his fight far too young but fought it with a courage and a resolve which has inspired many and of which I stand in awe.
I, again similarly to many of us, am only a shade younger than Matthew, and have looked inwardly too this past day. We are often so glib with our time here and too easily allow relationships, friendships slip because of a myriad reasons. Seeing the photographs of the wedding just a few short days ago, Matt walking tall, have moved me deeply to hold tight to those in my life that matter. The sheer grit of that day truly amazes me and as Kully has said so eloquently, Matt put all his strength into it, determined to marry the woman he loved so very much. I hope Emma can take some solace in that, for there is no doubt at all she was his world. We often say things like "I'd do anything for you". Matthew lived those words.
Emma, Tina, the families; my deepest sympathies at what must be an impossibly difficult time. No words of mine could ever lighten the load you carry, just know that you are in our thoughts.
Matthew; I'm sorry there wasn't more time for us to get to know one another but I thank you for being so welcoming to me and for the impact your bravery and determination have had on me, my friendships and my impending marriage. There's a little piece of what I'm told is a C2 in my car and for as long as I have a Cougar I promise you there always will be. To say you will be missed in this community is the greatest of understatements; you very much shaped this place. You knew and cherished the special nature of UKC. Perhaps the greatest tribute we can give you is to cherish and nurture it too?
Farewell Matt, I am grateful.
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