Matthew Gordon Crichton of Grovedale, Alberta, passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at his home at the age of 43.

Matti spent every summer of his life, from birth, participating in the family thoroughbred racing business at the Lethbridge, Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Calgary, and Great Falls Montana racetracks. Matti was a gentle and kind child with a love for animals and the family farm.

When his mom became paralyzed from a racing accident in 1996, Matti was 13. He stayed at the track by himself and finished the summer race meet in Grande Prairie. He trained and raced our horses with the help of pretty much everyone there.

In 1997, at 14 years old, Matti went to work for a big game outfitter in the Yukon over the summer, but the racetrack called him back. In 1998 he was training again. He raced horses during the summer and played hockey and wrestled in the winter while finishing high school at the Comp.

Between thoroughbred and chuckwagon racing, Matti was in his element. He took a farrier course in Oklahoma and was prepared for a career working with horses. In 2004, just after he had turned 21, he was involved in a motor vehicle collision that left him with a traumatic brain injury and a multitude of physical damages. Matti pushed through, and it was a testament to his character that despite the obstacles he faced, he always tried his very best. With grit and humour he struggled and worked hard to rebuild his life. He was able to meet and marry a wonderful young woman in 2010 and become a father.

The litany of ongoing tragedy and trauma that befell him almost immediately after his wedding would be unimaginable to most people. From that day Matti struggled to make sense of the world and battled with his mental health. He was unable to cope with the crushing torture that was happening daily in his brain, and he ultimately lost his fight.

We are devastated and heartbroken.

Left to mourn are his son, Percy (15); his daughter, Emmalyn (11); their mother, Jenny; his mother, Holly; his brother, Jason (Christina); along with scores of family and friends who loved Matti.

There will be a memorial service on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Clarkson Hall in Evergreen Park (55051 Township Rd 710, Grande Prairie, AB, T8W 5A7). His happy place.

Ride easy, Matti, and know that you are loved.