Matej Gruber

I am raising money to help support Trudy and Jess in their time of grief. I want to raise enough to cover funeral costs and hopefully have enough left over to put a little aside for Jess & Trudy to use as they please. For example, for Jess's ice skating lessons, her schooling, their everyday expenses, or even for the two of them to take a much-needed vacation.

Please seriously consider donating, as they are going through enough stress right now, and I don't want financial hardship to be added to the mix. Every little bit helps. Maybe you can skip eating out one day this week. You can take a week off from your morning coffeehouse. Stay in on Friday night this weekend and watch a movie on the couch.

My brother Jason and I will put up a match for the first 2,000 dollars raised. When the fundraiser hits 2,000, we will double it to 4,000. I am hopeful that we will be able to raise a substantial amount for them. Even if you were not close with Matej or didn't even have the pleasure of knowing him, please consider helping a family in need.

Below are the words from a post I put up on Facebook on August 5th, 2022.

Today was supposed to be a great day.

My family and I spent the last couple weeks in Chicago visiting family and friends. About halfway through the trip we received news that nobody ever wants to get. I found out that my best friend died in a car accident. His name was Matej for those of you that don't know him. Over the years he has become less of a friend and more an extension of my family. He was another Brother. My brother Jason felt the same way about him. I was completely devastated.

Val and I met Matej and Trudy while travelling through Thailand on our Honeymoon. We did a hill trek together in the North of the Country. We made an immediate bond and then met up later in the Gulf of Thailand and hung out and partied on some Islands together.

Matej and I kept in touch regularly through online chats. Shortly after that Val and I and my brother Jason took our first trip to London to hang out with Trudy and Matej. Val and Trudy were both pregnant at the time but it didn't slow them down any. We had an amazing time and bonds were forged for life. My brother Jason also became very close with Matej on that trip and would end up spending New Years with Trudy and Matej on the Isle of Wight shortly thereafter.

When we got home we had our son Jeronimo and they had their daughter Jess. It was at this point that Matej informed me that her middle name was Noval. A combination of Val and my names. It was the greatest honor of my life.

Val and I then had Neela and life was going good.

After that Trudy, Matej, and Jess came to Chicago for their first Lollapalooza. After the festival the seven of us (three baby seats and four adults) borrowed my friend Eric's minivan and road-tripped to Montana together. Along the way we stopped at Sturgis to go to the rally and catch Motley Crue at the Buffalo Chip Campground. My Mom drove up with my sister Cody to watch the kids while we attended the concert. That was the first time Cody got to meet her new brother.

We had a great time exploring Montana after that and Matej fell in love with it just as much as I always have.

We had many more adventures together. We hiked through rainforests and got tossed out of rafts in Costa Rica. We caught a Bears game together in London even though Matej had no idea what the fuck was happening the whole time. We partied in Amsterdam. We went to Vietnam and swam in the ocean. We hiked all over Montana. I visited his home on the Isle of Wight and spent a bunch more time with him in London over the years.

At one point Matej actually dropped everything he was doing and came out to Montana for three months to build a tiny house with me. He was a master carpenter and he taught me everything I know in that field.

Matej was pretty soft spoken. But when he spoke it was always either hilarious or something really thoughtful. He had the most amazing laugh and the greatest smile known to man. I still can't believe I'll never get to see that smile again. He loved the word Arsehole and I can still here him saying it in my head.

Trudy and Jess I am so sorry. There is a huge black hole in the world now and I honestly don't know what could fill it. We are here for you anytime you need us.

Today I was supposed to pick up Matej at the airport. He was coming to Montana for a Month. We were supposed to spend a week in Glacier National Park with our friend Hans. We were supposed to hike back to Jerome Rocks Lakes which was one of his favorite places on earth as well as my own. My brother was supposed to come down for a few days while he was here so we could all catch up.

I miss the shit out of you bro and I am so angry you are gone. But I'm glad for the time we got together and am so happy I got to be a part of your existence how ever short it turned out to be.

Today is a shit day.

I appreciate you and hope you will find it in your heart to help Trudy and Jess under these most devastating circumstances. One hundred percent of the funds raised will be turned over to Trudy Waughman upon completion of this fundraiser.

Thanks,

Noah