Obituary for Gerald Alvin "Jerry" Matthews
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gerald Alvin Matthews, age 83, on April 13, 2023, peacefully surrounded by family in New Liskeard, Ontario.
Jerry was born on October 22, 1939 in Dunnville, Ontario, and was the son of Holland (Red) and Mae Matthews (who have both since passed.) He was working as at Maillie’s Service Centre as a small engine mechanic when he met Sadie Elizabeth Middleton, and the two were married at Thornloe Crossroads Baptist Church on July 1, 1967. They had 2 children, Lori-Lee and Tracey before adopting Lisa, Barb, and John after their parents passed in a motor vehicle accident. Two years later they had their son Trevor.
Jerry had an amazing sense of humour. He was always cracking colourful and mostly inappropriate jokes, and had a whole library of original one-liners that would have you falling off your chair in a fit of laughter. He was a gifted accordion player and enjoyed playing music with Sadie and their group of friends on a regular basis. He was a small engine mechanic and was always happy to help people with their mechanical problems. His help usually came with a long technical explanation of the problem and a few colourful words when the engine didn’t want to cooperate. In short, he was quite the character! Jerry loved his family, and they always came first. He loved spending time with his brothers John, Gord, and Pete working on machines together on weekends. He was a good listener and would offer fatherly advice to all of his kids, whether they asked for it or not. He was passionate about hockey and was the proudest dad at the rink while watching Tracey, Trevor, and his grandchildren Ryan, Devin, and Gage play. He knew the rules and strategy of the game, and would holler out instructions from the sidelines, in a voice loud enough to be heard in the next town. I’m sure all of the coaches deeply appreciated his expert guidance.
Jerry will be lovingly remembered by his beloved wife and best friend of 55 years, Sadie Matthews (nee Middleton). He is also survived by his children: Lori-Lee Matthews (Jeff), Tracey Matthews (Yvonne), Trevor Matthews (Kitty), Lisa Widdup (Rick), Barb Hansen (Jim), and John Middleton (Tammy), as well as his grandchildren Ryan (Sherry), Amy (Chris), Devin , Gage, Krista (Josh), Chelsea, Josh, Noah Hansen, and Ashley Middleton, and by great-grandchildren Ryanna and Ryelee, Kyra, Lyla, and Ella Rose. He is predeceased by brother Jerald Smith, and is survived by brothers Garnet Smith, John Matthews, Gordon Matthews, and Peter Matthews (Colleen.)
Cremation has taken place at Lakeview Crematorium, Haileybury. A Celebration of Jerry’s life will be held on April 16, 2023 from noon to 3 pm at the Dymond Hall, 181 Drive-In Theatre Road in New Liskeard. Arrangements entrusted to Buffam Leveille Funeral Home, New Liskeard Location, 705-647-4440.
The Matthews family would like to thank the nurses, Dr. Currie, and staff at the Temiskaming District Hospital for the excellent care they gave Jerry in his last days. For those who wish, memorial contributions in Jerry’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society are appreciated.
Jerry was born on October 22, 1939 in Dunnville, Ontario, and was the son of Holland (Red) and Mae Matthews (who have both since passed.) He was working as at Maillie’s Service Centre as a small engine mechanic when he met Sadie Elizabeth Middleton, and the two were married at Thornloe Crossroads Baptist Church on July 1, 1967. They had 2 children, Lori-Lee and Tracey before adopting Lisa, Barb, and John after their parents passed in a motor vehicle accident. Two years later they had their son Trevor.
Jerry had an amazing sense of humour. He was always cracking colourful and mostly inappropriate jokes, and had a whole library of original one-liners that would have you falling off your chair in a fit of laughter. He was a gifted accordion player and enjoyed playing music with Sadie and their group of friends on a regular basis. He was a small engine mechanic and was always happy to help people with their mechanical problems. His help usually came with a long technical explanation of the problem and a few colourful words when the engine didn’t want to cooperate. In short, he was quite the character! Jerry loved his family, and they always came first. He loved spending time with his brothers John, Gord, and Pete working on machines together on weekends. He was a good listener and would offer fatherly advice to all of his kids, whether they asked for it or not. He was passionate about hockey and was the proudest dad at the rink while watching Tracey, Trevor, and his grandchildren Ryan, Devin, and Gage play. He knew the rules and strategy of the game, and would holler out instructions from the sidelines, in a voice loud enough to be heard in the next town. I’m sure all of the coaches deeply appreciated his expert guidance.
Jerry will be lovingly remembered by his beloved wife and best friend of 55 years, Sadie Matthews (nee Middleton). He is also survived by his children: Lori-Lee Matthews (Jeff), Tracey Matthews (Yvonne), Trevor Matthews (Kitty), Lisa Widdup (Rick), Barb Hansen (Jim), and John Middleton (Tammy), as well as his grandchildren Ryan (Sherry), Amy (Chris), Devin , Gage, Krista (Josh), Chelsea, Josh, Noah Hansen, and Ashley Middleton, and by great-grandchildren Ryanna and Ryelee, Kyra, Lyla, and Ella Rose. He is predeceased by brother Jerald Smith, and is survived by brothers Garnet Smith, John Matthews, Gordon Matthews, and Peter Matthews (Colleen.)
Cremation has taken place at Lakeview Crematorium, Haileybury. A Celebration of Jerry’s life will be held on April 16, 2023 from noon to 3 pm at the Dymond Hall, 181 Drive-In Theatre Road in New Liskeard. Arrangements entrusted to Buffam Leveille Funeral Home, New Liskeard Location, 705-647-4440.
The Matthews family would like to thank the nurses, Dr. Currie, and staff at the Temiskaming District Hospital for the excellent care they gave Jerry in his last days. For those who wish, memorial contributions in Jerry’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society are appreciated.