It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Matthew Griffin, at the age of 42. Matthew passed away peacefully in his sleep after a courageous battle with kidney disease.
Matt was born and grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, graduating from Lord Byng Secondary. Matt was keenly interested in Haida Art, and spent time in Haida Gwaii studying with First Nations artists. Matt then moved to Nelson, B.C., where he married the love of his life, Dana Marquis.Matt and Dana’s children, Isis Lucian and Iniko dragon were born in Nelson B.C.
Matt was a gifted artist and design student. After graduation from Kootenay School of Art and Design, Matt and Dana returned to Vancouver, where Matt graduated from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design. Matt then entered UBC School of Architecture, where he graduated with a Master of Architecture Degree. His creative life revolved around design in various forms: painting, sketching, jewelry making, printmaking, carving and architecture. Matthew also loved to build and was a talented athlete. He loved skateboarding in his youth.
Matthew is survived by his wife Dana, his two children Isis and Iniko, his father Raymond, and mother Marion, brothers Kevin, Blair and Darren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews in Canada, the United States and Britain.
After doing his own designs for residences in private practise as Griffin Design Build, Matthew also worked as a set designer and scenic artist, within the IATSE union for many TV shows and movies being shot in Vancouver. He continued with his love of oil painting and portraits, as well as on site construction of some of his company’s Design-Build projects. He truly enjoyed the process of oil painting and loved to visit art museums and galleries. Matt loved his family, camping, being with friends, travel, music and cooking.
Matt will be greatly missed and never forgotten by all who knew and loved him.
A special thank you to the nurses and doctors working for the Vancouver Community Dialysis Clinic. For those who wish, they may make a memorial donation to the Kidney Foundation of Canada in lieu of flowers.
A celebration of Life will be held at the upstairs Burrard room at the Jericho Sailing Centre in Vancouver, B.C., November 23rd, 2018 at 2pm., 1300 Discovery Street , Vancouver, B.C.