Matthew Gilman

Matthew (Matt) Ryan Gilman, 46, passed away on February 26, 2021 in Whitefish.  He was born at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish on May 3, 1974 to Martin and Laurie Gilman.  He was the youngest of three children.

Matt grew up in Whitefish and lived his life in the outdoors especially on Big Mountain.  He loved to mountain bike and snowboard spending his leisure time in the summer in or on the water paddleboarding, wakesurfing, and fishing.  If you didn't find him outdoors, he was probably on the basketball court enjoying a game with friends.

He was an active member of the Flathead Area Mountain Biking Association, and a lifetime member of the NRA.  Matt was also a member in good standing of the UA Local 459 Plumbers & Pipefitters Union.

Matt moved in the middle of his freshman year from Whitefish High School to Libby, where his dad had transferred for work.  Matt graduated from Libby High School in 1992, but he maintained the close relationships of his youth in Whitefish throughout his life.

After high school, Matt earned an Associate’s degree in culinary arts at Flathead Valley Community College and worked as a chef at Rocco’s in Kalispell and other local restaurants for several years.  He later moved to the Greater Seattle area to attend an HVAC training school and complete an apprenticeship.  After that, he worked for Olympic Mechanical in the Seattle area and Carson Brothers in Kalispell for many years.  He then worked for Johnson Controls as a journeyman HVAC technician for over 10 years up until the time of his passing.  He was well-respected for his knowledge and work ethic.

Matt was married on June 7, 2003 for 16 years to Lindsay Nicole Parrish.  In 2013, their son Landon was born.   Matt was an incredibly dedicated father, sharing his love of the outdoors with Landon.  If they weren’t at home, you could bet they were out hiking, mountain biking, or snowboarding, or finding some mischief together.

Matt was an incredibly kind and compassionate person, and he was always doing something that would make you laugh.  His smile carried an air of mischievousness, which always made you wonder what he was up to.  But mostly, Matt was one of the good ones; an authentic and genuine person who would always help someone in need.   He had a heart of gold, and a smile and sweetness that will be sorely missed.

Matt was preceded in death by his mother, Laurie Anne Cunningham and stepfather Charles Cunningham, and his grandparents, M. Earl and Marjorie Gilman and Elmer and Nadine Absalonson.

He is survived by his father, Martin Gilman, and stepmother, Susan Gilman; brother Michael Gilman (Kathy) of San Antonio, TX; sister Elaine Bentzinger (Bret) of Redmond, WA; stepbrother Charlie Wilson (Marlene) of Kalispell; stepsister Coni Muzi (Patrick) of Kalispell; son Landon Gilman of Kalispell, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

A service will be held at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell on March 26 at 1pm.  A celebration of his life will be held in the conference room at the Hampton Inn, 1140 US Highway 2 W, Kalispell following  the service.

A donation in Matt’s honor can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.  Friends are encouraged to visit our website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory caring for the family.