Matt Kalai

Matt you were taken from us too soon. We will miss you.

What is there to say to such a loss. Matt was a man of adventure, luck, pride, and love. My friendship with his son Iljya has always been, to me, a continuation of the relationship he had with my father. Even our experience mirrored the experience they had. In 2007 Iljya and I went on a camping trip together. We didn't pack enough food and had to keep going without lunch. Iljya and I managed to get into some heated frustration with each other until we ate. We both shared this story to our fathers and learned that some 30 years earlier my father and Matt also went on a camping trip in which they decided to skip lunch to get further a long their planned route. By the time my father and Matt got to their camping site Matt was in a terrible mood and starving. This spawned the words "Kalai must eat". We revived those words and they became part of our story. We shared with Iljya's friends and they wrote them on a plaque that ended up on Iljya's boat and was with him through out his journeys. It's a phrase we remember in all our adventures. Matt loved both his sons very much. He took them on many camping trips. Protected them and provided them the chance to thrive. He was proud of their accomplishments. I promise that I will continue the generational relationship that has flurished. I hope that one day it will continue on to the next generation. Matt you will be remembered with in the very fabric of the friendship I hold with your son. May you rest in peace knowing this truth.

Hikmet was a really influential figure in my early days. he was the epitome of a sharp mind - he seemed like a genius, to be perfectly honest. I distinctly remember when we went on outdoor adventures together him asking us riddles or puzzles (this was one of his: if you're expecting guests, how do you slice a cake with the minimum number of cuts so everyone gets an equal amount regardless whether there are 3 or 4 people total?) and challenging us mentally like that. I know Iljya picked that up from him. Calm, methodical, thoughtful, warm. That's how I always saw him and how he'll live on in my memory.

Pershendetje. Un jam Ikbale Kalaj jam merzit shume per vdekjen e vellait tone te dashur, jena ken gjithmon larg e skena mujt kurre me u knaq e me u qmadh me njeri-tjetrit. Humbja e ti na ka merzit pa mas. Ai ishalla shkon ne xhehnet e ju te keni jeten e gjat. Me madhe e lot ne sy do ta kujtojm gjithmon vellain ton te dashur. Familja Kalaj

Hello Arjan and Iljaz Kalaj, condolence for the death of your father. Its a big loss, but this is how life goes. Im a cousin of yours, I am the daughter of Ikbal. I felt really sorry, I have met your him once when he came to Albania and I have only seen you guys in pictures. I wish you the best Bye

Дорогие Ариан и Ильях, нам очень жаль слышать такую грустную весь. Мы всей семьей Ахметай приносим наши глубочайшие соболезнования. Мы вместе с вами скорбим по этой потере и желаем вам в эти трудные минуты сил. Поддерживаем вас на расстояние. С огромным уважение Эрмир и Ханна Ахметай.

Rip my brother.,Mat.You will be missed.Me and my family have been very lucky to know and spend time with you.We lost you in very young age but Heaven has gain an angel.Condolences to the family.We are all on this together.