JOHN MATTHEWS
1919 - 2015
"Born in the early decades of the 20th century, they grew up in the shadow of the Great War, suffered through the Depression and then found themselves fighting for freedom during the Second World War, before helping to create the modern world that we take for granted…as well as paying tribute to them, we acknowledge the debt we owe them." - Joe Clay, The Times
Born in London in 1919, passed away May 4, 2015, John joined the merchant navy at the age of fifteen, served during the war on the notorious Murmansk Run, attained his Master Mariner's ticket in the late 1940s, and joined Trinity House as a Sea Pilot in 1950. In later years he acted as a mediator and support for pilots who had had accidents or incidents whilst working on ships.
In 1966, John began construction of his Eventide 26 sailboat. It would be a long- lasting project—as John once quipped: "It took me 12 years to build the boat —6 years actually building it and 6 years looking for items I had mislaid!" On completion in 1978 he named her SuJi, a melding of the names of his two daughters.
John is survived by his loving wife Liz (Roberts), his daughters Sue (Gerard) and Jill (Joe), stepchildren Wendy, Pam (Ken) and Fred (Patti), grandchildren Matthew, Gemma, Elizabeth and Anna, and step-grandchildren Jake, Luke, Sydney and Caitlin.
The family wishes to sincerely thank the staff at Nanaimo Home Support for their kind and competent work.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of choice. There will be a gathering at 2718 Keighley Road, Nanaimo, V9T 5X8 on the 30th May at 14:00 to 16:00. All friends and caregivers are welcome.
Any inquiries can be directed to
Telford’s at 1-250-591-6644.