Mathew Stefureak

1937 - 2017

1937 - 2017

It is with deep sadness that his family announces the passing of Mathew Stefureak, on July 1, 2017 in the Georgian Bay General Hospital, Midland, ON of complications following his strong fight against cancer. Matt is survived by his soulmate and loving wife, Beverley, by his much loved family Mark (Vicki Yaltema) of Coquitlam, BC, Nancy (Gerry Coppola) of St. Catharines, and Lesley (Rob Morano) of Sudbury, as well as his very special grandson Jacob of St. Catharines. He is also survived by sisters Mary McDonald (Frank), and Victoria Martin, brother Willis, sisters-in-law Caren Baert (Al) and Jeanette Stefureak, and numerous nieces and nephews. Matt was predeceased by his Mom and Dad, Annie and, Peter, brothers Edward and John, sister Elizabeth Preddie, and grandson Luka Stefureak-Coppola. Cremation has taken place entrusted to Le Clair Funeral Home, funeral mass was celebrated in Midland on July 5. Celebration of Life is planned in Thunder Bay for August. Matt was born in 1937 in Willingdon, Alberta and spent the formative years of his life on the prairies, first on the family farm and then in the small town of Hairy Hill. His love of Canadian prairie never waned and, on many road trips to Western Canada, one could sense his chest expanding to fill with good air as soon as we broke into Manitoba's expansive plains. Matt left Alberta at 17 to seek adventure, and eventually ended up in Toronto, then in Ottawa dipping into the cloak and dagger in Canada's Department of External Affairs. It was here that he crossed paths with Beverley --- who recognized quality in a man when she met him and decided further work abroad could be postponed until Matt also recognized quality in a woman. Matt and Bev were married in Toronto on September 3, 1966, returning to Ottawa that autumn for Matt to continue part-time studies at Carleton. He graduated with his BA in Political Science and Diploma in Public Administration in 1968 the same year that he welcomed the birth of his son, Mark. Matt resumed working with Bell Canada for a year until presented with the opportunity for Department of Education Teacher Training in summer classes. This led to an interim contract to teach Business Education Studies at Hammarskjold High School in Port Arthur, Ontario. Matt, Bev and Mark moved to Port Arthur/Fort William in June 1969 and were soon warmly welcomed into the active social life of Hammarskjold teachers. This is where Matt made lifelong friends in the profession and from where he always had the very best memories of the “Hammarskjold gang”. Matt's family continued to grow with the arrival of Nancy in '69 and Lesley in ‘73. He moved to Churchill as Head of Business and later to Hillcrest in the same post. Matt continued studies during these years and was awarded Masters of Education by Lakehead in 1986. His thirst for adventure, however, was never quite quenched. In 1986/87 Matt took his first of several “three over four” leaves to travel Europe with his family in a VW camper van and small tent for six months. For the wonderful family memories and the invaluable lessons learned about other countries and cultures, Bev and each of his children thanked him many times. In 1991/92, he accepted a six-month post at the Canadian Overseas College in Singapore, followed by a two week visit to Eastern Australia and a second six-month camping tour of Europe and North Africa. In 1994/95, he returned to Singapore as Principal of the Canadian International School, and in 1997/98 he was off to Guangzhou, China to head the first OAC Ontario Program in Huamei International School. Retiring in 1998 Matt enjoyed twenty years of active life, in Toronto, St. Catharines, Thunder Bay and finally in Midland. Matt and Bev continued to travel, visiting England, Norway, Ireland, France, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Western Australia & Tasmania, Ecuador, Bali, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, and wintering in southern Mexico for fourteen years. They were scheduled to depart June 21 for Panama City to transit the Panama Canal when Matt became ill. When he wasn't abroad, Matt was busy on his acreage in Thunder Bay, enjoying a round with his golf buddies, a game with the Go-Slow curlers or following each second of Montreal Canadiens action. In 2015, Matt and Bev decided to move closer to family in Eastern Ontario and relocated to Midland, where he quickly developed a new group of golf buddies. Throughout their life together, Matt and Bev were mutually supportive of each other's dreams and he will be greatly missed as a partner. The love and respect Matt has earned from his children and grandchild is a testament to the love and support that he unfailingly provided to his family and he will be greatly missed as a father and a Grandad. “You can always tell where a beautiful soul has been by the tears and the smiles left behind.” There are many, many tears and there will be many, many smiles as the wonderful memories crowd out the deep sadness. In lieu of flowers, should anyone wish, donations may be made to the Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation in Barrie, Ontario, directed to the Cancer Centre.