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Tractor Pulling Discussion Forum

Remembering Matt Collard

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Rick

02-10-2004 14:58:06




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We celebrated the life of 24 year old Matthew E. Collard today in grand fashion. Matt was the son of Patricia and Joseph Collard and brother of Abbey Collard. A funeral and memorial service followed by a feast of epic proportions for Matt took place at the Owasco Reformed Church and West Niles Fire House. The church was filled to capacity and beyond with estimates of 400-500 family and friends. The service was administered by the Rev. Derek Vande Slunt. "Memories of Matt" were shared by 3 people, each representing the 3 primary interests in Matt's life: Patti Muncy- Antique Tractor Club,
Chip Auchampaugh- Friends, and Marilyn Mann- Family. Each presented emotionally stirring and humorous stories of remembrance, reflection and recollections of Matt during all phases of his life.
The state's longest motorcade developed following the service to the West Niles Fire House. This hall was again filled to standing room only, approximately the same number of people as at the church. Tractor pullers, family and friends came this day from great distances as well as locally. A few to mention are Pete Delgado- New Jersey, Donnie Walker-Dansville, NY and Richard Prokop from Middleburgh, NY. More than likely there were more from greater or equal distance away. Matt's friends were far and wide- and he had a wealth of friends- he was a wealthy man in this regard.
I must comment on the labors and generosity of those who worked so hard to prepare and arrange for a wide array of food and goodies to feed so many people this day. As I looked and listened in this gathering place, I heard and saw people talking, telling stories, reminiscing, laughing, crying---- all the emotions spilling out over a young man with a very powerful aura. His friends and family gathered together to celebrate his much too brief life and we all felt so wonderfully fortunate to have been a part of it-- and to have known him.
It was a great day. Matt would have wished you all could have been there. It was a great day, for a "darn good kid".

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Rich B

02-14-2004 12:35:55




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 Re: Remembering Matt Collard in reply to Rick, 02-10-2004 14:58:06  
I was reading posts on the pulling Forum,and ran across this one,My heart sank and I was overwhelmed with saddness.I only pulled with Matt maybe a half dozen times,The last was at a benefit pull for him in Locke my brother attended with me,and to this day It was the best pull we have ever gone to,I got to know Matt better that day and learned why everyone liked him so much.He was a true tractor puller and a better sportsman will never be born.He loved pulling tractors and talking with everyone,even new people like myself.I don't think he ever cared about 1st 2nd or 3rd place.If he was pulling and with other pullers that was winning to him,I think more of us should feel the same way.I always saw Matt help other people at the few pulls I was at,I like that in a person.To Matt's Family,I am sorry he is gone but try to remember all the good times that you had,and how many people Matt left a great impression upon,Such as myself I only pulled with Matt a few times but respected him very much and considered him my friend.Lets all keep pullin,I think Matt would want it that way.I regret not pulling as much in the past 2 years,my life has changed I got married to a great lady,bought a house and have been to "busy" to pull as much as I like,Hopefully I will see you all this summer. Best regards Rich and Ray Bennett Cooperstown NY

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PeteNY

02-10-2004 15:28:48




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 Re: Remembering Matt Collard in reply to Rick, 02-10-2004 14:58:06  
Rick, I am deeply saddened to hear of Matt's passing. I live in Binghamton, and my Father lives in Apalachin, NY. Had we known, we would have been there to pay our respects. Our Matt Story:
About 5 years ago, my Dad and I were budding pullers, we had been collecting and refurbishing for a few years, but our pulling experiences were not great; fairs where you pull against about anything that shows up(we don;t supe 'em up), and our local club pulls, where they kinda make the rules as ya go...really thinking about not pulling anymore. Well we went into the buffet at the winter farm show at the NYS Fairgrounds, and ended up in a couple of empty seats next to a kid with a Carhartt that had a pulling logog on the back. We engaged him in conversation, and he told us about the club he pulled in...told us that they were NATPA sanctioned, were great guys, ...
he took us to the booth where we met Keith Brown(who it turns out I knew through work, but was not aware of his pulling affiliation). Well before we parted ways with Matt, we were excited about pulling again. Now we have a roll back truck and a trailer to tow to "the Sunday pulls up North", a bunch of quality aquaintences, a deaire to pull every tractor we aquire, and most importantly a wealth of memories of time Dad and I have spent together with a GREAT bunch of people whom we may never have met but for a chance encounter with Matt.
I have seen him use common sense and fairness in running and ruling the pulls, where much older but hotter heads were riled up! He will be missed!
It's too bad that the good ones seem to go early; I could drive down town here in Binghamton, and within 5 minutes, fill a truck with people who deserved to be taken long before Matt!
The amazing thing about our conversation with Matt was that he only mentioned that he pulled a Farmall, he never told us that he had won a National Championship, or that he was the club president, or that he was ill...we found out all of that later. Pete Pitcher

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Rick

02-11-2004 04:11:58




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 Re: Re: Remembering Matt Collard in reply to PeteNY, 02-10-2004 15:28:48  
Pete, thanks so much for sharing your Matt story with us. As I told "a puller", Patti and Joe read this forum and will be pleased to read of your encounter with Matt. He was a super kid, eh? We hope very much to see you on our pulls this year. I'll attempt to keep you posted on the schedule when I get it- you could send me your email address and I'd email that schedule to you, if you like. Take care, my friend- and thanks again.

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a puller

02-10-2004 15:50:34




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 Re: Re: Remembering Matt Collard in reply to PeteNY, 02-10-2004 15:28:48  
very sorry to hear that even though I didn't know him. I hate it when a good ol puller dies, and even worse when a young person dies. Keep supporting the family and those close to him. May I ask what happend? and could it have been prevented? thanks and God Bless all .



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Rick

02-11-2004 04:07:05




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 Re: Re: Re: Remembering Matt Collard in reply to a puller, 02-10-2004 15:50:34  
Think you missed an earlier posting on Matt- he died after a 3 year battle with brain cancer. This kid never gave up on that, always had a spirit of kicking that thing. Parents Joe and Patti read this forum daily and will certainly appreciate your thoughts and comments. And, thanks from me.



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PeteNY

02-10-2004 15:56:14




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 Re: Re: Re: Remembering Matt Collard in reply to a puller, 02-10-2004 15:50:34  
Puller, Someone close than I would know exactly what it was...I know it was long term and I believe unavoidable. Pete



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ChadS

02-11-2004 07:35:38




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Remembering Matt Collard in reply to PeteNY, 02-10-2004 15:56:14  
We would like to send our condolences to the Collard family and freinds. It saddens me to hear that a young man has passed away. The March 2001 issue of the Hook Magazine has a 2 page article about Matt and his family. Chads Steininger Pulling Team. Akron, Indiana



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