February 02, 1943 – October 26, 2019

With great sadness and heavy hearts we announce John passed away at the age of 76 with family at his side. John had a very brief battle with Bile Duct Cancer and suffered a stroke 3 days before his passing.

John is predeceased by his parents John and Lydia Matt, first wife Claudia Reich (Mackie), sister Connie Matt (Borysko), son Jason Matt and grandson Jordan Apps.

He is survived by his 3 children Sandy Matt (Rob), John Matt (Candee) and Karyn Apps (Bruce). Grandchildren Kevin Lavoie (Shannon), Michael Lavoie (Stacey), Derek Apps (Chrystal), Dustin Apps (Katie), Samantha Matt (Corey), Cole Matt, Brooklyn Forgie-Matt, Step granddaughters Melissa Tesolin (Cody) and Sarah McIvor (Mike). Great grandchildren Kalica, Kacoda, Kevin, Hunter, Nakita, Jagger, Tanner, Tylan and Jacyn. Step great grandchildren Kalli, Ashlyn and Carter. Nieces Deborah Spurgeon (Martyn) and Corrina Billings. Great nieces Angela, April and Alley and Great nephew Adam.

John was born to John and Lydia Matt in Lethbridge AB the oldest of two children. He grew up in the Vancouver area and moved to Strathmore AB in his late teens. This is where he met and married his wife Claudia. John worked on the crushers in his early years of marriage but he longed to work for himself and when the opportunity arose he moved his wife and 2 young children Sandy and John to Valemount BC and opened up Texaco gas/garage station. A few years later two more children arrived Jason and Karyn and this completed the family. Over the years of living in the beautiful valley of the mountains John hauled logs for a period of time he then moved on and bought a couple of trucks and drove for Trimac.

John and Claudia eventually divorced and John moved to Kamloops with John and Jason in tow. He worked at Dearborn Ford as a salesman for a few years but still itching to work for himself. It was then when he decided to do what he loved to do, being a mechanic. He opened up Jaymat Auto, specializing in Semi trucks but never turned down to fix smaller cars and trucks. This business kept him going for more than 30 years until he shut the doors. He then drove for Trican out of Alberta until he retired well past 65.

John had a passion for playing softball and coaching. His spring and summer would be full of coaching and playing with his 2 sons John and Jason. They spent many seasons together on the ball fields and lot of tournaments in and out of town. He was also a huge fan of the Blue Jays and rarely ever missed a game.

At one point John took an interest in horse racing and before you knew it he bought his own race horse in the early 90’s.

The biggest passion John had in later years besides his family was fishing. He rarely caught anything and with the amount of time he spent on the water he should have, but he was never deterred and he kept going out anytime he could. He was very disappointed he wasn’t able to salmon fish this year due to his illness.

The family would like to thank all the Doctors and Nurses on 7 North at RIH. A huge Thank you to Dr. Kanji and Dr. Cornel Barnard for your compassion towards Dad. We would also like to thank everyone from Marjorie Willoughby Hospice for your kindness and compassion not just for Dad but towards our large family who bombarded the hospice in Dad’s final hours.

There will be a private family celebration of life at a later date in the summer of 2020.

If you desire to donate in Dad’s memory please donate to Marjorie Willoughby Hospice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.drakecremation.com

• Date : 2019-11-04
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.