March 16, 1922 – May 4, 2014
Born in the Village of Alert Bay, Cormorant Island, B.C., Bert passed away with his family by his side after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Bert was predeceased by his brother, Daniel (Dan) Matthews and survived by sisters; Dorothy (Dot) Gorbatuk, Roberta (Billie) Stange and Ethel (Lovie) Petrie. He is also survived by his loving wife, Inez May Matthews (Tame) of 68 wonderful years; daughter, Rosemary Tull (Gregory); sons, Robert (Bob) Matthews and Martin Matthews Susan (Sue) McKinney; grandchildren, Russell (Nicole), Leanne (Jack), Tim (Yuka), Casey (Tanya), Mathew (Matt) and great-grandchildren, Reid, Katelyn, Madelyn, Cassidy, Tyler, Dylan and Myles. In WWII Bert served his country and defended the lands that he cherished so much. Bert served as Flight Lieutenant in the RAF 120 Coastal Squadron based in Northern Ireland and Iceland flying VLR (very long range) Liberator (B24) bombers. His principle task as an Astro Navigator and Bombing leader was to assist in closing the mid-Atlantic gap in the Battle of the Atlantic. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for bravery in 1943. Bert graduated from UBC in 1950 with a BA and LLB. He attended UVIC in the early 1970s with a desire to explore Psychology Methods and Research. Bert practiced law for 40 years in Victoria. He was an avid golfer at the Uplands Golf Course, squash player at the Victoria Racquet Club, enjoyed gardening and was an active parishioner of St Michael and All Angels Church attending church and volunteering in his community. Bert had a strong interest in artificial heart transplantation and early detection procedures and technology of prostate cancer. He will be sadly missed by family, friends and professional associates for his hardy laugh and warm smile. The name Herbert means “Illustrious Bright Warrior” and that he was for 92 years. The family would like to extend profound respect and appreciation to Dr. M. Mann, Dr. D. Trerice, Dr. J. Goulart and the RJH Oncology medical staff.
Remembrance and Celebration of Life Service is to be held at St. Michael and All Angels Church, 4733 West Saanich Road at 2:00 pm on Saturday May 24, 2014. In lieu of flower memorial donations may be made to BC Cancer Foundation or the Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
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Martin Matthews, son
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Morgan I worked with Bert during his stay at the Jubilee Hospital, and I remember fine walks and funny stories from that period. I’m very sorry for your loss, and glad he got to spend time at home with his family. Our thoughts are with you.
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Frances Courtemanche Auntie Inez ,Bobby, Rosemary and Martin.
We were so sad to hear that Uncle Bert had died.
We are thinking of you.
I’ll always remember his great smile!
Fran, Jerry and family.
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Thomasine Lick To Auntie Inez and the rest of the family:
I read in our Comox Valley paper today that Uncle Bert had died.
My thoughts are with you all!
Uncle Bert was a wonderful man.
Keep his memory strong. Chickie
THE THINGS DAD TAUGHT ME
By: Martin E. Matthews
Eulogy, written May 2014
Dad lived a remarkable life. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross as a Flight Lieutenant, Astro-Navigator and Bombing Leader in World War Two, he practiced law for 40 years, and was an
inventor, holding a dozen patents. He provided well for his family. But, I want to tell you about some of the things he taught me when I was growing up.
He showed me that when you drink water from a mint leaf it is magically transformed, He showed me anything ripe, especially radishes, can be eaten while standing in the garden. He, and mom, taught me how to garden. The most important ingredients are compost and sweat.
He said “You weren’t working hard enough unless you were sweating”. He showed me that old sweat-bands from Squash or hankies would divert the sting from your eyes. He made yard work fun. We build rock walls, shovel horse manure into gardens from wheelbarrows that were pushed everywhere precariously balanced over planks strung up and down our steep lot on Cardiff Place. He got the whole neighborhood gang working on these projects. Kids, wielding picks, shovels and saws. Then he would treat everyone at the Dairy Queen or pass around home-made root beer.
He taught me how to play squash when I was five. He played with both hands because of an injured right elbow that did not allow him to straighten that arm. It took me decades to beat him, without being spotted at least 1 point. He introduced us 3 kids to many other sports. At the Racket Club where he was president for a time, we curled, swam, played tennis, hockey, badminton, and of course squash. Like the compost in the garden these opportunities made us grow.
Dad loved being outdoors with us. Locally, China Beach, the Sooke Potholes, Island View Beach, John
Dean Park and Mount Finlyson were favorite places. I remember afternoons on a beach discovering the world underwater, or just looking for the biggest wave – the seventh usually. Further away, favorite destinations included Manning Park, Penticton, Ewing’s landing and Christina Lake.
Bert loved summer holidays. He took us all over BC, across Canada and down the Pacific Coast. We would stuff the Plymouth Station Wagon and load our massive plywood roof carrier Uncle Dan Matthews had helped make. In it went the huge canvas tent. It all flew off once on the highway. He would drive us up island to Courtney to visit our extended families on both sides. Or we would wait hours in line to board a BC Ferry. Once on board Bert would always buy a cheese sandwich then stand at the back tossing bits of it high off the stern and watch the seagulls swoop in to for a meal. Once in his enthusiasm he removed his shirt to soak in the sun and received the wrath of mom.
On the road, the favorite best place to stop for lunch was a gravel pit. He taught me the best way to eat a trout was fried for breakfast in a cast iron pan over a fire, with lots of butter.
At home on weekends, he taught me how to make pancakes for breakfast- always sift the flour and clam chowder for lunch – a good time to clear out the fridge. He taught me how to count to 100 while driving me to kindergarten. Dad taught me how to play cards, choose the right partner, (Susan).
He provided me the opportunities to do almost anything, and live well as I could. Dad showed me how to be generous, and most importantly, never to give up. Thank you, Dad. We all thank you.