The world lost a gentle soul when our Matty Gow passed away. Matthew Walker McGinley Gow, son of James Gow and Moira McGinley, brother to Emily (Shua) and Adam, grandson to Evelyn Gow, will be profoundly missed by his family. He was a special son, brother, nephew, cousin, friend, teammate, and a big buddy to anybody under four feet.
Matthew believed he lived a privileged life. His large close-knit family and his circle of life long friends loved him absolutely and unconditionally. 
It gave him the strength and the power to endure his tougher moments and always gave him hope for kinder tomorrows. Never judging, wise, honest, loyal and loving, we are all so very grateful for what he taught us. As his friends would tell you, Matt’s sense of humour never took a day off, no matter what.
Matthew attended Willows Elementary and Oak Bay High. He was a talented athlete who spent his youth playing Minor Hockey at the VRCMHA, Minor Lacrosse with Saanich, baseball at American Little League, Intermediate and Junior Lacrosse with the Victoria Shamrocks, and five years of Junior Hockey in the BCJHL. The past ten years Matthew worked in the local Victoria painting community.
Today, our hearts are broken. But tomorrow, as we remember Matty Gow, we will laugh easily and often. That is what he would want us to do.
We sincerely thank all the extraordinary people within the mental health community that helped and cared for Matthew – especially Dr. Bosley, Dr. Blasco, and Matthew’s exceptional counsellor Darryl Jackson. Matthew was grateful. He felt you were all so wise.
Please consider making a donation to the Archie Courtnall Center in Matthew’s honour.
www.victoriahf.ca/our-hospitals/mental-health/
There will be a Celebration of Life for Matthew on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 1pm at McCall Gardens Sequoia Centre, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC. Casual attire, and bling highly recommended – Matt loved glitter. Bring your stories…clothing optional.
Like the Fire – Be Alive
Like the Earth – Be in Balance
Like the Air – Be Free
Like the Water – Be at Peace.
We love you 
Matty Gow.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
49 Responses
So sorry to hear about Matt. Our sincere condolences to Jim, Moira, Adam and Emily. Also to Evelyn in Peterborough, and all of the Gow family around the globe. Rest in peace Matt….
To Matthew’s family, please accept my heartfelt sympathy on the loss of this dear man.
Look back with happy memories on the time you shared with him. Each loving memory will live in your heart forever. I hope
those memories will be a source of comfort for you at this
difficult time. Prayer to God for comfort will also help you to cope with the loss of Matthew. God promises to give us help
when we need it. Now is the time to pray to him
because God wants you to trust in him for comfort.
2Corinthians 1:3,4
It was quite a blow to hear this news.
Simply put, Matt was my favourite cousin and we grew up very close.
Just a year apart and very similar and many ways, both being serious athletes, class clowns, rebellious, I could go on and on about the stories of me and Matt.
Here’s a few that make me laugh on a consistent basis.
We were riding bikes in Whistler in our late teens. I was riding some questionable-at-best “bicycle” we found somewhere, while Matt was riding a deluxe, new mountain bike. I was super uncomfortable and complaining, so Matt finally agreed to trade bikes with me so I would survive the trip back to the cabin. Matty looked at me as he sat on the bike, not happy about my complaining, and in a very cocky fashion, said, “whatever Kev, I kick-ass on this bike anyways.” He took about two strides full speed and the bike buckled and he flew over the handle bars and completed the most impressive bike bail I’ve ever witnessed.
To this day, I don’t know that I’ve laughed that hard ever again in my life than when he made that sweet move in WHistler, then looked up at me while tangled up in that old bike, embarrassed and confused.
I remember Matt always doing whatever it took to make the boys laugh. I remember going out for a night on the town with Matt, Devlin, Lapointe, Holland and a few guys. Just to “get the party started” (so to speak), Matt slicked his hair back and wore sweat pants, a Hawaiian shirt, Jim’s old high school varsity jacket and a pair of old flip flops.
Just a beauty, he was.
I’m having a very hard time putting my feelings about this sad sad situation into words. He was such a kind and gentle soul.
As I said, Matty and I were very very close as kids growing up. I loved the holidays when I was growing up and the thing I always looked forward to most was seeing Matt in Kamloops at Christmas time. Man did we tear it up. Too many great times to count.
I remember playing Super Mario Bros for original Nintendo for the first time with Matt when I was 5 and he was 4 (and wearing a pajama onesie). We couldn’t believe our eyes. It was too much awesome to comprehend.
And I’ll echo what LaPointe said, Jim Carrey was Gowzers A-game. His impressions were bang on and plentiful.
I remember watching him play hockey at the Victoria Racket Club. The guy was a phenomenal hockey player and a beautiful skater.
I’ve tried contacting Matty over the last few years from time to time and have spoken with him and could tell that things weren’t the greatest.
I regret not reaching out more.
I don’t know where we go when we’re no around, but I hope my lil’ cuz Matt is at peace now.
RIP Matt Gow.
To all my family, I love you all and I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other soon.
Moira, Jim, and family,
My heartfelt condolences to you all. As you hold Matt in your hearts, I firmly believe that he is enfolded in the loving arms of his grandparents. Moira, I ended every card and letter to your parents with ‘You are often in my thoughts, and always in my heart’. Although it has been many years since we have been together, cousin, I will always feel the same toward your entire family. Sadly, I cannot be with you on June 3rd, but I will be thinking of you all, and I hope you feel my love.
Moira and Family,
With heartfelt condolences – the love of your dear boy and for each other will be your strength and comfort – you are in my thoughts and prayers,
Dear Moira and Jim
I met your beautiful boy only once, and was struck by his grace and charm. Please accept Loretta’s and my condolences for your profound loss.
Ann & Loretta
Will always remember Gowser as an incredibly fun guy to be around. So many great memories from rugby and high school. Sending love and condolences to Moira, Jim, Emily and Adam
Moira, Jim & Family
Hard to put in words but wanted to let you know we are thinking about you all and are deeply saddened and so sorry for your loss.
Tom, Nancy, Mike & Lindsay Ralph
Moira, Jim, Emily, and Adam, Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures and stories that have told the story of Matt. Please know that my heart is with all of you during these difficult days, and although I cannot be with you all on June 3rd, I will be sure to wear ‘Bling’ in honor of his life. <3
Sheila (Joe)McGinley
Sunset Point AB
My condolences to the Gow family. Matt was one of the funniest and kindest people I’ve ever met. It’s been many years since we played together in the BCHL, but I have several fond memories of him and was absolutely shocked to hear this news. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed by everyone.