Matthew “Matt” Taylor
May 4, 1977 — September 17, 2023

On September 17, 2023, Matt passed away peacefully in the arms of his loving wife Brandy, along with his brother Todd by his side at Hospice House of Humboldt. Matt had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer on August 14, 2023. He endured multiple complications from the cancer, and he fought a difficult battle.

Matt was born to Paula Poncia and Robert Taylor in Eureka on May 4, 1977. Matt lived his entire life in Eureka. He was a Eureka High School Graduate in 1996. In high school, he had a passion for VW bugs and loud stereos. From a young age he had a passion for racing motorcycles and was an original member of the Humboldt Stunners Crew. His nickname was “Wheelie Instructor” for a reason and may have been known to ride the hard pack sand on Samoa Beach on a street bike in his younger days doing 80 m.p.h. wheelies. Things did calm down after his first son was born and he switched from street bikes to Harley’s. When his own boys were ready, he introduced them to BMX, flat track motorcycle racing, rock crawling, and 4-wheeling.

Due to a blind date of Brandy’s best friend in 2002, Matt met his future wife at E & O Bowl in Blue Lake. He told his friends that night he was going to marry this girl of his dreams one day and set to make that future a reality. As usual, Matt’s persistence and his charm won her over and they were together, a team, a force to be reckoned with, from that day on.

“Always family first” was Matt’s motto in life and he showed it every day with his dedication to his wife and his boys. He taught his boys to have a strong work ethic, integrity, honesty, kindness and perseverance. After Matt would finish his day at Recology, he’d pick up the boys and head to the shop to teach them how to work on his rock crawler other projects. He encouraged them to be self-sufficient and help others. If they weren’t at the shop, they would mow lawns to support their motorcycle and BMX racing needs because Matt believed the things you worked for were things you appreciated more. He thought his boys could do anything they set their minds to do and he never missed an opportunity to teach them life skills to be successful young men. At the motorcycle races or the BMX track, he cheered his boys on and was their number one fan.

Matt and Brandy built many strong friendships with race families up and down the West Coast from Washington to San Diego and every one of those friendships meant the world to Matt.

You could not find a more honest, genuine, caring guy, always there with a smile and helping hand. Matt was always a kick to be around. It was always an adventure with him. He loved rock crawling with his boys and long-time friends at Rowdy Creek, Fordyce, The Rubicon, Titlow, and O’Brien, 4-wheeling at the beach or in the snow, and riding motorcycles. Matt had a wild side, which he shared with his very large, tight-knit group of friends whenever he could. Matt had some rock-solid friends who loved him and that love and respect for each other was palpable. About a year ago, Matt and Brandy purchased a 1971 Camaro project that they wanted to complete with their boys. Ultimately his disease prevented its completion by Matt, but a group of his buddies rallied to complete the project. Although he didn’t get a chance to drive the car, the look on his face when the engine first fired up was something we will not soon forget. He had an unmistakable smile and whistle, and he loved offering positive and/or sarcastic advice when you needed it the most. Always smiling, even at the very end, his smile and laughter lit up a room

Matt was an EXCELLENT cook, Big Boy BBQ Pit master and fried rice aficionado. If you were camping with Matt at Ruth Lake, King of Hammers, just hanging out at Samoa Beach, or at one of the boys’ birthday parties at Sequoia Park, he could rustle up a meal you wouldn’t soon forget. He loved to feed people and see their amazement.

Matt worked at Recology of Humboldt for 18 years. His favorite part of his job was showing children how the truck worked at events or honking for them if they gave the signal. He enjoyed building and driving a decorated truck in the annual Christmas Truckers Parade. Matt was also quietly proud of an early morning on Aug 10th, 2021, when he saved a family from a house fire in Eureka he noticed off his route. It wasn’t unusual for him to pick up extra routes and fill in when needed. When it came to a strong work ethic, he walked his talk. On September 15, the full fleet of Recology trucks (25+) lined up in front of the Hospice House to welcome and honor their co-worker and beloved friend, who dedicated 18 years to Recology and even more years to the community. Tears were shed, stories were told, and most importantly–love was felt throughout the gathering as they said goodbye to a dear friend, husband, father, brother, and community member. Matt made many friends along his garbage routes and people looked forward to seeing him. Matt also told his family that he looked forward to seeing them.

Matt was preceded in death by his mother Paula Poncia, his mother-in-law Cindy Bilderback, both his maternal and paternal grandparents, Uncle Gary Poncia and Aunt Gretchen Howard.

Matt leaves behind his amazing wife of 20 years, Brandy (age 41); his three loving sons Trevor (age 19), Brody (age 13) and Jax (age 11); his brother Todd Taylor; his nephew, Andrew Taylor, his father Robert Taylor; his Uncle and Aunt Scott and Joyce Taylor; his cousins Dan and Lacey Comer, Billy Comer, Kevin Taylor, Adam Taylor; his in-laws Dan and Marlene Birnie, Gene and Karren Bilderback, and Eileen Ayers; his brother-in-law and wife Robbie and Nikia Birnie; his brother-in-law Matt Bilderback; his sister-in-law and family Jenny, Matt, and Raylan Orsua; his beloved dog of 13 years, Charlie; his turtle or 20 years, Tough. There are too many guys who were like brothers to Matt to name them all, but you know who you are. Matt spoke so highly of his friends, and they were a big part of his life, Matt loved all of you.

The support from the community, family and friends has been UNBELIEVABLE! Matt was blessed with family, many solid friendships and co-workers who gave him an incredible welcome to Hospice House on Friday, September 15, 2023. He was able to see the love and support of the community he called home before his passing.

His family and friends lost a special man who would drop everything to help someone in need. The world was a better place because of Matt. He left an imprint on all of us. Matt wished on his last day that everyone can learn something from this tragic loss, whether it be being kind to others, lending a helping hand when able, leading by example, working hard but playing harder, and of course family first. Be the friend to others that Matt was to all of us. Matt Taylor you’re a legend in all our hearts!

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the dedicated Oncology department, emergency department and hospital staff of St. Joseph Hospital for their care and support of Matt and his family. The family would also like to acknowledge and thank the Hospice House of Humboldt for providing Matt, his family, and his friends, the opportunity to participate in Matt’s last days in a serene and peaceful setting. We also have a special thanks to Joyce Taylor for being like a mother to Matt and being by his side during this battle at every single appointment.

Donations can be made to the family GoFundMe to support medical and service expenses.

https://tinyurl.com/Taylor-Go-Fund-Me

Please join Matt’s family in a Celebration of Matt’s life on Sunday, October 22, 2023, 1 p.m., at Redwood Acres, 3750 Harris St., Eureka.