Matthew Jabin Secaur

Matthew Jabin Secaur, 49, passed away in Toronto, Canada on August 5, 2026 after a month long illness with his family by his side. He was born September 8, 1976 to Dr. Jonathan Secaur and Diana Rice Secaur of Kent, Ohio. A 1994 graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School, he graduated from Kent State University in 1999 where he majored in vocal music education and enjoyed the academic study of music and his senior recital. Though his career took a different direction, music was a thread that continued throughout his life as he wrote and recorded music, directed several church choirs, sang karaoke on weekends, and performed with and lead his beloved Upper Canada Choristers.

 Throughout his time in college he excelled technology; although it was not his major, he taught himself about various operating systems and networking. He learned through campus jobs, his own curiosity, and an almost instinctive awareness of what was coming next in the field. His ability to learn independently set him on the career path he followed for his entire life. His last and favorite job was as a Principal Technical Account Manager for Red Hat, the Linux operating system, in Toronto. Recently he began giving presentations at conferences and working with others in the company to improve their presentation skills. His colleagues shared how much they will miss his mentorship, patience, kindness, and compassion. 

While working full time in Montreal he earned a Master’s degree in Philosophy of Religion from Concordia University in 2015, not for any career advancement, but because he genuinely loved to learn and study the intersection of religion and philosophy of science. He was inquisitive and wanted to constantly be engaged. 

Ten years ago he moved to Toronto and found his real home. It was there he was instrumental in working with meet-up groups for people learning English as a second language where he made and sustained many friendships. Matt’s closest friendships were deep and lasting. He also loved to travel, solo, with friends, and later with his family to many places in Asia and Europe. He was always looking for new places to check out - near and far - just as he continually looked for new intellectual terrain to explore. 

He married Cerila Bilacaol ten years ago, and she transformed his life in the best way. Their devotion to each other was exceptional, and Matt’s joy was made complete when Cerila’s daughter, Fiona Ibaseta, joined them in Canada. Matt and Fiona became true father and daughter of the heart. Matt’s life was vast and diverse but Cerila and Fiona were at the center of it; they were his foundation and his light. He leaves his wife Cerila and step-daughter Fiona, his parents, Jon Secaur and Diana Secaur, his step-mother Linda Idoine, brother Benjamin Secaur and his wife Kristin Wickless, and brother of the heart Robert Vavra. Matt also leaves his nieces Samantha Secaur and Lilac Secaur and more family in the Philippines, as well as cousins, aunts, and uncles. He had deep friendships with people who will miss him in the United States, in Canada, and throughout the world. 

A Service of Remembrance for Matthew will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026 with calling hours from noon to 2 pm with light refreshments, and the service following at 2 pm at the First Christian Church, 335 West Main Street, in Kent, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada through their website, mscanada.ca.