Matthew J. Minnick of Bowling Green, Ohio passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Bridge Hospice Care Center. He was 60 years old.
Matt was born September 11, 1956 to Travis Minnick and Ruth (Breidling) Minnick. As a teenager, Matt was adopted by E. Virginia (McDaniel) Minnick, whom Travis had married after Ruth passed. Matt graduated Perrysburg High School in 1974 and completed several courses at Bowling Green State University, where he later worked for 25 years as a grounds keeper and grounds supervisor. Matt married Cynthia (Stipp) Minnick on March 20, 1982.
Horticulture came naturally to Matt, who made his career cultivating plants and caring for BGSU’s grounds. He loved working outdoors, and he was just as proud of his backyard vegetable garden as he was of the lawns, flowers, shrubs, and trees he tended on campus.
Friends, family, and colleagues will remember Matt for his unfailing generosity and positive attitude. Even beneath his signature mustache (and, later, his goatee), Matt’s smile could be seen coming. Those closest to him will miss his dedication to the simple art of delivering an irreverent joke. Matt’s good nature made him a gentle dad and mentor to his two sons, neighborhood kids, family friends Justin Heinze and Renée (Heinze) Thompson, and countless pets. Matt opened his home to friends in need, stray cats, and rescued dogs for decades.
Matt is survived by wife Cynthia, siblings Connie (Minnick) Grill and Timothy Minnick, and sons Kevin and Ryan. In addition to his parents, Matt was preceded in death by his sister Judith (Minnick) Becker.
Visitors will be received on Saturday March 4, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Dunn Funeral Home, located in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 W. Wooster St.
Matt cared deeply for the student employees who worked with him to keep BGSU’s grounds. To honor Matt’s concern for those students, and in lieu of flowers, family recommends that any memorial contributions be made to the BGSU Campus Operations Fund Scholarship, which is awarded to eligible BGSU undergraduates who have worked at least two semesters in campus operations.
To share an online condolence with the Minnick family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
