It is with great sadness that we share the loss of our beloved Matthew. He is deeply mourned by his fiancée Shannon Pryor and son Owen, brother Dylan, father Scott and mother Susan, as well as hundreds of friends and extended family members. Matt was a kind, compassionate man full of enthusiasm, with a zest for life. The loves of his life were Shannon and Owen. Matt will always be remembered as a bright light that lit up a room with his character and spirit. We know that he continues to wrap his loving arms around us. Matt attended Monterey Elementary School and Oak Bay High; he studied Hotel and Restaurant Management at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Victoria. He was an avid sportsman playing soccer, basketball, track and field and rugby; which became his passion as a young man. He was an unbelievably talented athlete, mentally determined and physically gifted. Matt always had a love for the ocean and could not imagine living anywhere else but the West Coast so when he, Shannon and Owen bought a home and moved to Saturna Island in the fall of 2020, it fulfilled a lifelong dream. Matt had an entrepreneurial spirit, passed down from his father and grandfathers, that could be seen in his many accomplishments. By working alongside his father Scott, he helped Merry Maids Victoria obtain the honour of becoming the number one franchise in North America in 2015. Matt was analytical, driven, a dreamer, compassionate, caring, absolutely brilliant, a prankster, humorous, adventurous, a trouble maker and he always loved to have fun no matter what he was doing. He was an avid traveller and touched the lives of countless people on his excursions and adventures throughout Canada, the U.S. and across the world. Matt believed in self-care and kindness. Throughout the last years of his life, he identified spiritually as a Buddhist and would not hurt a living thing, from a fly to a flower. He taught us all to live fiercely and demonstrated this until the very end by his courage and strength. Matt passed on March 28, 2021 surrounded by the love of his family. Our family takes comfort in knowing he accomplished and succeeded in fulfilling so many of his goals and dreams. Matt spent the last 4 years of his life working on a digital company that focuses on information systems, patients, technology and science. Show your support for Matt’s passion project by checking out www.kanteeva.com and please share the link with your friends. Matt created Kanteeva Information Systems to help mankind.
A Funeral Service was be held on April 7, 2021 at 10:00 am in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens with immediate family and invited guests only in attendance. A video recording of the service is available below.
A large and extremely fun Celebration of Matt’s Life will occur as soon as possible and everyone will be invited! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Matt’s favourite charity, BC Children’s Hospital.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
43 Responses
Sincere condolences to the Tanner family for the loss of Matthew. May the good memories be cherished and help you through this sad time.
Dear Scott, Susan, Shannon, Owen and extended Tanner family. I never had the opportunity to meet Matt but have kept in touch with the Tanner family through Rico and Soo and their family for over 50 years.
Reading Matt’s obituary and watching the memorial video makes me realize that Matt made an incredible mark on life in such a very short time.
Shannon’s tribute was so perfect and memorable. Matt was fortunate to have you in his life albeit for far too short a time.
My heart goes out to all of you as you wrestle with adjusting to the new normal. May peace be with you and the fond memories of Matt help you through these difficult times.
Blessings to the Tanner family.
John Tackaberry.
Our deepest sympathy and condolences to the entire family ! May his beautiful soul RIP
Sue, Scott, Dylan, Shannon and Owen.
We send our love and deepest condolences.
Matt’s celebration of life was a beautiful tribute for such a special young man.
With a heavy heart, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Matt can be seen reflected in all the faces who love him, in the words spoken about him. It was an honour to witness this deeply, moving expression of all who love Matt. We hold you close in our thoughts and prayers.
Scott,Sue, Dylan, Shannon and Owen,
We are so sorry about Matt… may you all find some peace in happy memories and knowing that he fulfilled many of his life’s dreams; however his life was way too short. You all are in our hearts always and we will treasure the beautiful send off that you gave to Matt today! It was truly a very special and amazing event and so well done by all!
All our Love, Bill, Maureen and Family
My heartfelt condolences go out to you all at this very tragic time.
Matthew’s celebration of life service was beautiful.
Glad that you all have each other for support.
Sue,Scott, Dylan, Shannon and Owen,
We send our love and sincere condolences. Clearly Matt was a remarkable accomplished and loving man who was also blessed to have lived his life surrounded by such loving family and friends. We are so very, very sorry for your loss. Our hearts and our prayers are with all of you.
Valerie and Brian
Such a tragic loss. My condolences to all of his immediate family and close friends. I’ll always remember Matt as a happy go lucky guy with a positive vibe anytime he was around. Sending love from Toronto.
Scott, Susan, Dylan and family,
I was shocked and saddened when I read about Matt’s passing. I was so very fortunate to have the opportunity to teach and coach Matt at Monterey. I remember him as an amazing young man who valued his friendships, respected all, was determined and focused. Matt was a gifted athlete both on the court and on the field. He was a leader and a team player. I have so many special memories of him at games, tournaments and school events. Please know that my thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.