Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a man who was dedicated to his family and inspired those around him.
Matthew Flint, 43, from Guisborough, died on Saturday, August 15, surrounded by his family, following a blood cancer diagnosis in November last year.
His devastated family have led the tributes to Matthew, who said people would naturally gravitate towards him due to his infectious personality.
His wife, Nichola Flint, said: “He absolutely adored our girls, Olivia and Lottie. He always put me and the girls first, throughout his life and through his illness.
Matthew and Nichola Flint
“It has been so lovely to read all the messages about Matthew. He was an amazing husband and father, but he clearly meant so much to so many people.
“We want to keep his legacy alive. He could make anything interesting because he was so invested in whatever he read or watched. I want to be more like him.”
His sister, Becky Flint, who is running the Great North Run next month in his memory to raise funds for Blood Cancer UK, added: “We are so close as a family and a friendship group.
“If he was in a room, you never wanted to leave because he was the most interesting person to be around. He was always interested in people and had a thirst for knowledge.
“He had a passion for Radiohead, and before he died, he documented his knowledge on the band and their music for my daughter Sienna. It is so wonderful that we have that.”
Matthew, Nichola, Olivia and Lottie Flint
Matthew’s daughter Lottie, 13, paid a moving tribute of her own.
She said: “He was an idol, a role model, a superhero and a best friend but most importantly, he was our dad.
“Throughout his whole life he has been strong, brave, kind and loving to all the people around him.
“He has taught me how to be myself and I’m so grateful for that. He has never once not believed in me, my mum and my sister.”
His elder daughter, Olivia, 16, picked up her GCSE results on Thursday – a full brace of grade 9s, including full marks in English and history, her dad’s favourite subject.
Nichola said: “He would have been so proud of her. She got her brains from him. She wants to be a doctor and Matthew’s illness has only made her more determined.”
Other tributes paid include from colleague Mark Whitehead, who said: “Matt was one of the renewables sector’s most recognised biogas project developers and supported many biogas and biomethane projects over the last decade.
“He was hugely sociable, and built genuine, lasting relationships across the industry. Commercially sharp, pragmatic and endlessly friendly, he had a real gift for getting deals over the line and bringing people together to make projects happen.
“He was, above all, a devoted husband to Nichola and a loving father.
“Those of us lucky enough to call him a colleague, partner, or friend knew someone generous with his time, quick with a laugh, and fiercely loyal to the people around him. Matt will be deeply missed.”
And Guisborough Rugby Club, which Matthew played for since he was a junior and captained on many occasions, said: “As a player, Matt was known as an uncompromising and fierce competitor, playing across the back row or second row.
Matthew Flint playing for Guisborough Rugby Club
“Matt found his calling as club captain, taking on the role for a number of stints over the years.
“Loved by his fellow players, coaches and supporters alike, everybody associated with Guisborough Rugby Club would list Matt as one the biggest influences on the team during the most successful period in the club’s history.
“Matt was also vocal about his future ambitions to be club chairman, which was testament to his love and dedication to the club, as well as the qualities he possessed as a person.
“The best chairman we never had” is a fitting description.”
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Matthew’s family would like to thank the whole haematology department at James Cook University Hospital and Teesside Hospice.
Nichola added: “Thank you doesn’t cover what we feel for them. They aren’t just doctors and nurses, they go above and beyond and were all amazing.”
To donate to Becky’s Great North Run fundraising drive, visit tinyurl.com/yfys9csa.