Yahoo News Family's tribute to 'very witty' Scunthorpe man Matthew Vincent who has sadly died aged 51
A Scunthorpe family have been left bereft after the tragic loss of the man who was “the support net” for them all.
Matthew John Vincent – known as Matt – died unexpectedly in hospital on May 13. Though he had suffered illnesses in his life, his sudden death at the age of just 51 has rocked all those around him.
His daughter Laura Vincent said: “My dad was born and has always been in Scunthorpe. He was a cheeky chappie and will be known by a lot of people as very, very witty, a funny man who had all of these sayings he would come out with.”
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After he left school, Matt worked for many years in The Bed Shop, where he was recognised as a “very good salesman,” his daughter said. He later made a lot more friends through working at Screwfix.
Because of illness, Matt decided to leave work to become a full-time dad to his children – Ashleigh, Laura, Aaron and Leah. Laura said: “My dad was on disability and things, he had no assets at all.
“I lived with him and the house has had to go. I have found somewhere else now but money is very, very tight. It is why we have set up a GoFundMe page to raise enough to get his funeral arranged.” The appeal has already raised more than £2,100 of the £3,000 target.
Laura said: “When Dad went into hospital, we just thought he was ill. I had to force him to go to the hospital anyway, he was like that. Then he just fell asleep the next day.
“We were by his side. He was surrounded by his special girls, as he would say: me, my older sister and one of my cousins who he took on as his own.
“Two of my cousins lost their dad when they were quite young and my dad – their mum is his sister – took on the role. They have always seen him as their second dad.
“He was a really, really good man. He had a heart of gold and he would do anything for anybody. He has been the support net for the whole family.”
Laura said local people would also know Matt through him setting up a football club some years ago, the Hitmen. “He took on a lot of those lads as his own as well.”
Matt was a dear brother to Karen, Sharon and Carol, and uncle to Edd, Lauren, Lynz, Natalie, Jade, Nat and Shenna, as well as Uncle Mac to little Zac and Rosie.
Laura said: “My dad lost his mum, Pam, a few years ago. He spoke openly about death. He said not long ago to one of my cousins that when he went he planned to have the last laugh over his sisters.
“He said there had to be an hour’s wait before anybody could have a pint. So that’s what’s happening at the wake, there will be no alcohol until an hour has gone. He will have that last laugh.”
A funeral for Matt will be held on Monday, June 10, at 12.40pm, at Woodlands Crematorium, Scunthorpe, with anyone who knew him welcome to attend and also afterwards at Foxhills Club.
“It will be good to have as many people as possible there. It will show how much he meant to everybody,” said Laura.
