June 5, 1972 – July 7, 2014
Predeceased by infant brother Luke (1977) and by beloved grandparents Una O’Connell (2004), Victor (2011) and Alice (2013) McFarlane, Matthew leaves to cherish his memory spouse Shannon Bjarnason, children Aidan and Nuala, parents Jim and Rosemary, sister Isobel, brother Paul, grandfather Bill O’Connell (UK), father-in-law Rick Bjarnason, mother-in-law Judy Van Goor, sister-in-law Kristen Sanderson, along with extended family throughout England, Ireland, Wales and the US.
Matthew’s family was of paramount importance to him. The strength of the emotional bond between Aidan and Nuala and their “Momma” and “Poppa” – an emotional closeness often remarked on by others – grew from and was continually nourished by the warmth of the affection in which Matthew and Shannon bathed their children.
Matthew was a gregarious, hard-working man. His regard for and trust in his business partner, Alistair Whiteside, contributed significantly to the satisfaction he found in his working life. A graduate of Monterey Elementary and Oak Bay High Schools, Matthew leaves life-long friends throughout Vancouver Island. The family appreciates their warmth and kindness at this time.
There will be a private service of interment for family members on Friday July 18. In addition, at 3:00pm on Saturday July 19, there will be a celebration of Matthew’s life at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Society of St Vincent de Paul – long a part of Matthew’s business and family life – or to the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
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Heather Holmes
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Sherry Jackson Shannon, (Aidan and Nuala) there are no words but know you all are in my thoughts and prayers. I am truly sorry for your loss. Love and hugs sent to you all.
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Anita Roberts Dear Shannon;
Sad, sad news. You’re in my thoughts. I wish you safe and speedy healing. Much love,
Anita
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Anneke van Alderwegen Sending love and strength to Shannon, Aidan and Nuala. I can only picture Matt smiling and laughing. He was a good man.
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Linda Sproule-Jones With deepest sympathy, I wish you strength and peace through the love and support from friends and loved ones in the loss of your dear son, husband, brother, and father.
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Jordan Tesluk Very sad to hear of Matt’s passing. Shared some good times with him in our youth. Many good memories remain.
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Anthony Sam and Gunter Heinrich Matt was a kind, thoughtful, full of life person with a calming and confident disposition. He was always a pleasure to have in your presence and around you. May his spirit carry his family through this time of sorrow and grief.
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Hanna Bendtsen To Matt’s family, and to Shannon and the children.
Please accept out most heart felt condolences. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. We sincerely hope that the pain you are feeling with be tempered by the amount of love that is pouring out to you from Matt’s many close and long time friends.
Mike Kynaston and Hanna Bendtsen and families.
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Anthony Sam and Gunter Heinrich Matt was a kind, thoughtful, full of life person with a calming and confident disposition. He was always a pleasure to have in your presence and around you. May his spirit carry his family through this time of sorrow and grief.
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Angela McNulty-Buell Positive healing energy being sent to Shannon and family. I hope you find peace in the wonderful memories.
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Esquimalt High Family Shannon,
There are no words to offer, but please know you and your family are in our thoughts.
Sincerely,
Esquimalt High Family
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Hanne Banister Dear Rosemary, Jim and Isobel,
Please accept my sincere condolences. Words fail me in expressing my deep sorrow of your loss. I shall always remember Matt as a gentle giant with a happy gleam in his eye. Lars enjoyed so many happy times in your home playing with Matt and Isobel.
With love and understanding,
Hanne
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Yvonne Geary ( O' Leary) Dear Isobel, Jim and Rosemarie,
We are all so saddened to hear of Mathews untimely passing.
I can not imagine the pain you are going through.
You are in my prayers tonight and every night henceforth
Yvonne
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Laura Walsh Dear Jim – deepest sympathies to you & your whole family at this time of sorrow. I still remember being your student 25 years ago, and you being one of the only teachers who ever spoke with such authenticity about your love for your wife, children and the joys of family life. Prayers are with you all.
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valerie creighton Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. It has been many years since we lived on St. Patrick Street, but we remember Matthew’s warm smile. God bless you all. Valerie Creighton, Hugh Creighton, Eleanor McNamara, Patrick McNamara.
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Brenda Allison Murphy Shannon, We have never met you or the children but feel we know you in a small way through him when he came down to AZ cycling with the guys. He talked about you and the children often and was ever conscience to make sure he got the perfect homecoming gift for all of you on his return. Am at a loss of words in many ways but want you to know that we send you our thoughts and prayers in your loss of a husband, best friend, and father. Brenda Murphy
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Sara Tyrrell My heart goes out to Matt’s family and closest friends at this sad and difficult time. I was so close to this myself only months ago and the impact and reality is absolutely overwhelming. I have so many fond, happy and hilarious memories of Matt at Monterey, St. Patrick’s St. and Oak Bay High. My sincerest condolences to Matt’s parents, siblings, wife and children.
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Peter, Margaret and Ann Murphy Our hearts go out to you all. Like so many others, we have such wonderful memories of Matthew, and that is an amazing legacy. Our deepest sympathy and abiding love as always.
The Murphy’s
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Manish Om Prakash I remember Matt as always being cheerful and happy; whistling a merry tune or humming a song; discussing things over a cup of chai and biscuits; or telling me of exciting weekends with his family. He was such a wonderful person to be around and I will truly miss him. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family during these difficult times.
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Dave Thomson The entire Oak Bay High School family and community is saddened by the loss and shares sincere condolences to Shannon, Aiden and Nuala and the extended family.
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Ken Andrews & Kathryn Cook We were so sorry to hear this. Our condolences to your lovely family. Our very best wishes are with you at this time,
Ken & Kathryn
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Cairine and Fred Green Dear Rosie and Jim and Family: We were so saddened to learn today about the loss of Matt. We have so many fond memories of our times together on St. Patrick St. Matt was well loved. Our deepest sympathy to you and yours and we hope very much that you find comfort in the love and support of your family and many friends. You are in our thoughts. Love to you.
Cairine and Fred
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Tom and eileen To Rosemary, Jim, Isobel and Paul.
We are so sad to hear of Mathews untimely passing. He has been such a joy to your family all these years.
We are thinking of you and saying a prayer too.
God bless you all,
Toas and Eileen
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Elaine O'leary You are my cousin Matthew but I had never had the pleasure of meeting you. I am so very sorry for everyone’s loss. You are in our thoughts here in Cork. Xx
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Judy Treloar My heart goes out to his mother and father, and his wife Shannon, and their two children. My memories of Matt, begin when he was a wee boy, playing with my son, Leon Bradshaw, a teenager partying on St. Patrick Street, and a married man living just up the road in Fernwood. So sad to lose a son, a husband and a father. My love to you all.
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Gordon Reilly I speak for my parents and my sisters when I say we considered Matt part of our family. He has been a mainstay in my life since we were children and will continue to be in my heart and my memories. As important as he always made me feel I know I am only one among many whom he made feel so special, supported and loved.
I am looking forward to celebrating his memory on Saturday and forever after.
Gord
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Steve Haggard RIP brother….. I’ll NEVER forget all our adventures on St. Patrick Street and you’re one of my first memories on earth when we first became close friends at the ripe ol’ age of 5 !!! 36 years of friendship and laughter which always came so easily !!
Those memories will ALWAYS make me smile, and some will make me laugh out loud till I join you !! My thoughts and prayers are with your beautiful family and your sister, brother, Mum and Dad
Love you man, this world will miss you greatly………..
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Andrew Moyer Matt was loved and respected by everyone who knew him….in his work and as a person. We will miss him greatly.
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Louise Bathgate(0'leary) Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family at this time
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Irene Pozzolo My deepest condolences to the family. Matt was a superb individual, so fun to be with and always good for a chat. He will be greatly missed. xoxo
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Sarah Thoughts are with you all x sending love from Wales, a friend of Isobel’s.
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Jennie Dixon To everyone who loved Matt, especially Shannon, Nuala and Aiden, my heart breaks for your loss, pain and sadness. Matt was amazing. Miss you MOC.
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Pia Wyatt Always a smile for everyone, always a good laugh and such heartfelt warmth … you will be missed, young sir!
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paul howitt Thoughts and prayers are with Matts family .I loved our chats he was a great guy and will be surely missed .see you on the other side Mate 🙂
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Sean Govender I offer my sincere apologies to Matts family and friends. We went to school together and shared lots of wonderful memories. It deeply saddens me to think of him not being around. But, his memory will live on forever. Shanti.
Jim, Rosemary, Paul and Isobel
My deep condolences to each of you. Matt was a young boy when we first met and I will always remember our time together fondly as next door neighbours. Matt blazed the trail !! Much love to all!
Heather, Ashley & Marshall