With overwhelming sadness, we announce the death of Matthew (Matt) Aaron Laninga our beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, age 44. Matthew was born April 18, 1980, to Herman and Ali Laninga, in Bellingham, WA. He had two older sisters, Tammi and Geralyn and often joked that he was raised by three mothers. He was a delightful child with the blondest hair which led his father to nick-name him “Sonny Boy.”
Matt attended Bellingham Christian School from kindergarten through sixth grade then transferred to Whatcom Middle School. At Bellingham High, Matt’s musical talents shined. He played drums in the Jazz and Pep bands. He particularly enjoyed drumming in parades and at sporting events. He graduated with honors in 1998. Matt then attended Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C. for two years. He later completed an AA at Whatcom Community College. From elementary school to college, Matt made friendships that lasted his lifetime.
Matthew entered the workforce when he was 12, delivering Herald newspapers in the Cornwall Park neighborhood. In his teens he worked at Homax Corp in the shipping department. After leaving Trinity Western he flipped burgers at Boomer’s Drive-In. He worked for 15 years at Wood Stone Corporation, first on the factory floor then in the purchasing department. During the pandemic he was laid off. He spent the next year helping care for his terminally ill mother and converting a Columbia neighborhood garage into a righteous bachelor pad. After the pandemic he worked at West Marine until his passing.
Matt had many interests. From crewing on a sailboat for regattas in Bellingham Bay to playing trivia at the Village Inn. Music was a central part of his life. In the late 1990s-2000s he played drums for local garage bands Heresy, Final Destiny, and Royale Brougham. He loved singing karaoke with friends and attending many live concerts. He appreciated a wide range of musical genres from Frank Sinatra to Dua Lipa. His favorite band was the Grateful Dead with Willie Nelson a close second. No surprise, he accumulated a collection of records and CDs.
Matthew was very funny, with a sharp-wit and a keen observer of irony and contradiction. Sometimes his insights were spot on. Sometimes they were over-the-top. He did not like cliches unless he was using one in a joke. He is remembered by friends and family for his fun-loving personality, humor, and quirky affection. He was also smart! Stuck on a crossword puzzle? Ask Matt for help.
He is proceeded in death by his mother Ali Laninga. He is survived by his father Herman Laninga, sister Tammi Laninga (spouse Patrick Gillham) of Bellingham, WA; sister Geralyn Cunningham (husband Michael) of Telkwa, BC; and four nephews and five nieces.
Matthew was laid to rest March 25 in Bayview Cemetery next to his beloved mother.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to National Alliance on Mental Health (https://www.nami.org/) an organization that provides support to families with a family member struggling with mental illness.
Friends of Matthew and family are invited to attend his celebration of life, April 19 at Bloedel Donovan Park Multi-purpose Room (2114 Electric Ave, Bellingham, WA), 5:00-9:00 PM. The program starts at 5:45 PM. More information for Matt’s Celebration is available at https://www.sigsfuneralservices.com/obituaries/matthew-laninga.
