Matthew Cornelius Van bakel

It is with very heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Matt Van Bakel in his 57th year, at his residence in Dorchester on Friday, November 24, 2017. Born in London, Ontario, on March 12, 1961. Beloved husband of 24 years to Lucy Van Bakel (Przewieda). Loving father of Jamie and Jackson. Dear son of Harry and the late Ann Van Bakel (2013). Survived by his brother Neil (Rebecca) Van Bakel. Son-in-Law to Sophia Przewieda. Brother-in-law to Barb (Mark) Pinnegar and Teresa (Scott) Matthews. Matt will be missed by nieces and nephews Travis, Brian, Stephen, Melissa, Adam, Holly, and great niece Everly.


Matt's happy place was his garden where he could always be found, and he enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labour with everyone. If you couldn't find him in the garden, you could find him walking the streets of Dorchester with his dog by his side. Matt was a diehard Leafs and Jays fan who could always be seen supporting his team. Matt's ideal family vacation was at a campsite sitting around a campfire, telling his jokes like only Matt could.


A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at the Dorchester Community Centre, 2066 Dorchester Road at 2:00 p.m. In honour of Matt's great love of dogs, memorial donations may be made to the London Humane Society, https://www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=2099&AID=2675. Calling all Leafs fans to wear their garb and all non-leafs fans to wear their team, as I'm sure that Matt would have rode you pretty hard if you were not a Leafs fan.