August 11, 1933 - April 13, 2020
After a long battle with Parkinson's Disease it is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Matthews on Monday, April 13, 2020.
John was born August 11, 1933 to Martha and Alfred Matthews in Victoria, B.C.
By the age of 19 he was a certified electrician. Soon after he joined the RCAF with a buddy to see the world. The boys went off to St. John's, Quebec for training. John was posted overseas and went to France and Germany . A little while later he was posted in Aylmer, Ontario where he met Anna Porter.
Since he was soon off to Denver Colorado, the letters went back and forth until their marriage in 1961. During their station in Flin Flon, Manitoba their son Bobby was born and a posting in Edgar, Ontario included the arrival of their daughter Cathy. Later postings to Moosonee, Clinton, Kingston and Edmonton followed. Through these years John educated himself further, while teaching electricity in the military and working as a projectionist. John received a B.Ed from UBC. He taught many shop courses and math courses for 17 years at Vedder Junior Secondary.
John enjoyed curling, golfing, camping, square dancing and was the president of the Chilliwack Handicapped Society for a number of years. He was a fine man and loving husband and father. He led an exemplary life. He was kind, generous and valued family above all else. He was devoted to his son Bobby who required special care all his life and greatly missed him when he passed on. John was very proud of his grandchildren and tried not to miss any events they were a part of.
John is survived by his loving wife Anna, daughter Catherine and husband Barry Eggen, grandchildren Mary and Aaron, sisters Joy (Ron)and Brenda (Ken) and brothers Ron (Marnie) and Roy (Lynn). He was predeceased by his parents, step father Harold Crowe, son Bobby, mother-in-law Margaret and brother Alfred. "Over the Rainbow"