Obituary of Gerald Hector Matthews

It is with great sadness, but with loving memories that we announce the passing of Gerald Hector Matthews, age 84, of Swans Island, Maine. After his battle with cancer, Gerald died peacefully in the Palliative Care Unit at Saint John Regional Hospital on November 24, 2017, with family by his side. Gerald was born in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia on August 7, 1933. He was the son of the late William and Mary Anne (MacDonald) Matthews. In Sydney Mines, Gerald spent most of his time on his grandparent’s farm or playing hockey. At the age of 17, he joined the army, and after his training in Montreal, Quebec in 1950, he was deployed to Germany after the war for clean-up. It was during that time that he acquired a passion for helping others, travel, and history. After years spent abroad, he moved back to Canada and temporarily settled in Ontario, to be with his Cape Breton family and start a family of his own. He was a dedicated member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 414, played hockey for a men’s league as an advantageous goalie, and worked various jobs, including Supervisor at Molson’s Brewery. In 1978 he moved his family to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, (where his wife, Ida Helen (Smith) Matthews grew up), to be closer to her family and the ocean. While living in Yarmouth, he enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and family, lending a hand to those who needed, and going for drives, exploring and camping the East Coast shore lines. Gerald worked at the Tin Mine in Shipping and Receiving and then for Marine Atlantic as an Engine Room Operator on the Blue Nose Ferry until his retirement. After the passing of his late wife, Ida Helen (Smith) Matthews in 1996, Gerald remarried Barbara (Smith) Matthews and moved to Swans Island Maine. Retirement and an idle lifestyle was never who Gerald was. His work ethic and need to be social continued long after his retirement. During his years on Swans Island, he embraced the people, the community, and was proud to call it home. While there, he worked tirelessly and effortlessly at the Fisherman’s Co-op. He also delivered papers and Purolator parcels to the community, with his wife alongside of him. In his spare time on Swans Island, he could be found socializing at the Fisherman’s Co-op. He loved helping and giving to the people on Swans Island and received the same warmth in return. He was blessed to spend his last years surrounded by the ocean in a community where his heart truly belonged. We are truly fortunate with the memories he leaves behind. His endless work ethic, kindness towards others, and humble heart will be engrained in us forever. Along with his parents, Gerald was pre-deceased by wife; Joan Smith and Ida Smith, sisters; Audrey Magee, Alice Nugent, Nashey Simpson, brother; Sonny (Lawrence) Matthews, and daughter; Judy Matthews-Stroschein. Gerald will be greatly missed by his wife; Barbara (Smith) Matthews, brother; Donnie Matthews (Pat) and sister; Darlene Anisimowicz (Ted), children; Patricia Matthews, Shon Matthews, Tina Matthews (Keith), and Dawn Matthews -Smith (Aaron), step-children; Diane (Ellis) Misale, Sam Misale, Wayne Lemoine (Laurel), Wendy Joyce (Spencer) and Kenny Lemoine (Angie), grand-children; Amanda Misale, Travis Misale, Kerri Ann Sanders, Kaylyn Green, Stephanie Matthews, Dara Cann, Thomas Dickson, Noah Jennex, and Joshua Jennex, step-grand-children; Kenney Jr. Lemoine, Jennifer Lemoine Turner, Emmie Sawyer, Jaime Rose, Joshua Joyce, Shane Lemoine, Garrett Lemoine, Nev Lemoine, and several great-great-grandchildren.