Joseph Arthur (Art) Matte 1921-2014 Art Matte, late of Estevan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at the age of 93 years. Dad is now with his beloved wife, Madeliene, who passed away in 2004 and is survived by his children Gerard (Lise) Matte, Nanaimo BC; Michelle (Peter) Nicholson, Victoria BC; Kathryn Cochran, Regina; Denis (Shirley) Matte, Estevan and Richard Matte, Estevan; nine grandchildren, and one great grandchild. He will be lovingly missed by his brother, Albert Matte, and sister, Ida Bruce, as well as the many people he helped throughout his life. Dad was predeceased by his parents, Weldon and Jeanette, sisters Evelyn Cuthbert and Jeanne (Albert) Meagher, and daughter-in-law, Lynn. The Matte family came to Estevan from Minnesota in 1902. Art was born on the family homestead 2 miles east of Estevan on April 1st, 1921. He attended Estevan schools, Estevan Collegiate and Campion College in Regina. In 1940 he joined the RCAF as a meteorological observer, serving in various training stations in Canada and then with Atlantic Command, escorting convoys and hunting enemy U-boats. After the war he tried his hand at farming but had to give it up when he learned he had an allergy to grain dust. In 1948 he married Madeliene Girard from Torquay, who was an O.R. nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital. Art took on the B.A. Oil (later Gulf Oil) bulk agency in 1950 and continued that business until 1972, when he was appointed Director of St. Joseph's Alcoholic Treatment Centre. Art was a longtime member of AA and worked tirelessly at contributing to the recovery fellowship. He later left the Treatment Centre to become Manager of the Estevan Chamber of Commerce in 1977 and eventually retired from that in 1990 as an honorary Lifetime Member. Art was very involved in community affairs. He was a Charter member of the Estevan Lions Club, later also a member of the Kinsmen Club and also the Rotary Club. He was also a Charter member of the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree and became Faithful Navigator of the 4th Degree. He was a long term member of the Canadian Legion serving many terms on the Executive as well as Branch President. He served on the Separate School Board beginning in 1960 and continued until 1986, having served as Chairman many times in that period. He was also elected Chairman of the Estevan Collegiate Board and served 10 years until the formation of the Comprehensive Board of which he was a founding Chairman. His devotion to his family, his country and his community was a driving force that helped Dad face and overcome many challenges, with the help of his loving wife and family, his devotion to God and the many friends he made in his journey through life. There are many lives he touched, many he helped, and many he served. Dad will never be forgotten. May he now Rest in Peace. Prayers were held on Friday, June 20, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Hall Funeral Services, Estevan, with Doug Third officiating. The Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday June 21, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, Estevan, by Rev. Brian Meredith. Interment followed in the Veterans' Section of the Estevan City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Art's memory may be made to the Estevan Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, the CNIB, or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. Thank You Our family would like to thank the staff at St. Joseph's Hospital Long Term Care for their dedication to Dad. We would also like to express our gratitude to Fr. Brian, Doug Third, the St. John the Baptist Choir for the music and the CWL ladies for the lovely lunch.
