The culinary world is in mourning following the sudden death of Matt Gagnon, a former contestant on the American edition of MasterChef. He was 42 years old.
A Sudden and Unexpected Loss
According to his obituary, Gagnon passed away 'unexpectedly' on Monday, December 15. The cause of death for the Cromwell, Connecticut native has not been publicly disclosed. His death has sent shockwaves through the community of fans he built during his television appearance and left his family facing an unimaginable loss.
Gagnon rose to public recognition when he showcased his cooking skills on season 11 of MasterChef in 2021. The season, subtitled 'Legends', was judged by the formidable trio of Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez, and Joe Bastianich, and featured celebrity guests like Paula Deen and Curtis Stone. Despite his evident talent, Gagnon was the fourth contestant eliminated, ending his run in the season's sixth episode.
A Devoted Father and Skilled Craftsman
Although his time on MasterChef brought him into the spotlight, Gagnon's professional life was in construction. At the time of his death, he was employed by a company that specialises in installing, repairing, and inspecting fire protection systems. However, his family and friends remember his 'true passion was cooking'.
A GoFundMe campaign launched to support his family describes him as a 'great friend to all who knew him' and a 'devoted father to his two young children'. The page states: 'He loved preparing meals for family and friends, bringing people together with his culinary talents and warm spirit.' The fundraiser had collected over $14,000 of its $20,000 goal as of last Friday, aiming to help his wife and children with funeral costs and future needs.
Remembering a Family Man
Matt Gagnon leaves behind his wife, Stephanie, his son, Mason, and his daughter, Haylee. His obituary paints a picture of a dedicated family man who cherished his role as a father. He was his son's 'best "Daddy Caddy"' and loved watching his daughter cheerlead. In warmer months, he enjoyed camping in the backyard with his children, who were noted as the 'most important' part of his life.
He is also survived by his parents, Raymond and Donna Gagnon, his brother Devin, his in-laws, and extended family, including the family dog, Niko. A memorial service was scheduled for Sunday, December 21, in Berlin, Connecticut. He will be remembered, his family said, for his kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness.
