Chatham man with brain cancer holds farewell party

Matt Reaume has always been a fighter. And he has faced the end of his life the past eight years.

Described as tenacious and stubborn by family, he wanted to do something a little bit different in the wake of sobering medical news.

The long-time brain cancer survivor, who learned the disease has become terminal, decided to hold a farewell party for friends and family.

The idea of ​​a traditional service wasn’t something he ever wanted.

“I hate funerals. I hate getting dressed up,” Reaume said. “I thought this is a lot better, because I’m still around to enjoy it. I’ve seen a lot of people I haven’t seen in forever.”

About 200 people turned out at the WISH Center on Sunday for an open house, as they said their goodbyes to the 43-year-old Chatham man, a married father of six.

However, the mood was anything but sombre, as loved ones reminisced over donated refreshments, while bidding on various prizes to help raise money for the family.

At one point, people were lined up to get in.

“I’m not surprised,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for eight years. … Every time I’ve had something major happen to me I’ve had lots of people check in.”

Reaume, who was an industrial pipe fitter, as well as a CK Transit mechanic, was first diagnosed in 2015. He said he “left work and never came back.”

Now, after multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation — with the tally depicted in a tattoo on his arm — followed by experimental treatments, doctors believe he might live until Halloween.

However, his mother, Donna Reaume, wouldn’t be surprised if he proves them wrong.

“This guy is so stubborn,” she said. “He plans that he’s going to be celebrating New Year’s Eve.”

His mother said she was overwhelmed by the show of community support, calling it “absolutely tremendous.”

During the event, Reaume’s loved ones donated shirts that said, “In this family no one fights alone.”

Many local businesses also joined that fight, including sponsors such as the Lally Kia dealership, OG Pizza, which donated food, the Chatham Coca-Cola office, which gave pop, and Frito-Lay, which donated chips.

Dam Home Hardware donated a cordless drill, with Retro Suites providing a night’s stay, and Mark Michael Mackew Law Firm donating wills. There were numerous others, Reaume’s mother said.

Matt’s wife, Theresa Reaume, said her husband has touched many people through his optimism and approach to life.

However, she said everything has been hard on the family, especially the kids.

“They just treasure every day they have with him,” she said.

Despite his prognosis, Reaume doesn’t feel any sense of finality.

He’s still here and that’s all that matters.

“All I can say is brain cancer isn’t the end,” he said.