Dr. Ernest MASTROMATTEO

MASTROMATTEO, Dr. Ernest
The Mastromatteo family is saddened to announce the passing of their father Dr. Ernest Mastromatteo July 13, 2016 at age 92.

Irreverently but affectionately known as The Big Cheese, Dr. Mastromatteo was a proud and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Born December 16, 1923 on Wellington St. in downtown Toronto, Ernie attended St. Mary's School and Bloor Collegiate before graduating from the University of Toronto's medical school in 1947. He was the oldest of four brothers (Joseph, Rico, John and Larry) and a sister (Violet) who all pitched in to help their immigrant parents make a new life together in Toronto.

Ernie had a long and distinguished career in occupational health and safety in Manitoba, Ontario and internationally. In fact, Ernie is considered a pioneer of occupational health and safety in Ontario. Ernie's first job as a physician was Medical Director for a rural health unit in Virden, Manitoba. He recalls that the health unit comprised four towns and seven municipalities covering an area of about 2,500 square miles.

In 1952 Ernie moved back to Toronto and joined the Division of Industrial Hygiene within the Ontario Department of Public Health under the leadership of Dr. Grant Cunningham. Despite the pressures of a steadily growing family, Ernie found time in the early 1950s to become active as a reservist in the Canadian Army medical corp.

Ernie's career in the Ontario government progressed smoothly, and in 1968 he became Director of the Industrial Hygiene Division, which later became the Environmental Health Services Branch.

In 1974 Ernie was approached by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and he moved to Geneva, Switzerland and began a new phase of his career that opened up an international perspective for him. In 1976 upon his return to Canada, Ernie left government service and became Director, Occupational Health for International Nickel (INCO Limited) in Toronto. Ernie stayed with INCO until 1985 when he became a Program Director for Occupational and Environmental Health with ORC Canada. In 1994 Ernie became a private consultant and continued to provide expert witness testimony in litigation proceedings both in Canada and the U.S.A.

The Mastromatteo Oration, an award conferred on individuals making a significant contribution to occupational health in Canada, was established in Ernie's honour in 1991 by the Occupational and Environmental Medical Association of Canada. In 2007, Ernie was made an honorary member of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada for his many contributions to occupational medicine.

Ernie is predeceased by his wife, Frances Sylvain. They met during his internship at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. They married in February 1949 and raised seven children, Barbara (Martin Thorp), Catharine (Paul Grossi), Patricia (Michael Moyer), Paul, Michael (Nila), Mary Frances and Tony (Fiona Scott). Grandchildren are Katie (James Jones), James and Paul Grossi; Paul, Joseph (Ruth Meehan) and John Moyer; David and Michelle Mastromatteo, Vincent and Joseph Mastromatteo; and Matthew and Danielle Mastromatteo. Let's not forget the two great-grandchildren, Joshua and Owen Jones.

An avid traveller and stamp collector, Ernie loved nothing more than gathering the family together at his home in north Toronto for dinners, parties and other celebrations. Despite his accomplishments, he remained modest and down to earth at all times. He was an understated mentor who always encouraged his children to think for themselves and to try to do the right thing - thanks eternally, Big Cheese!

Special thanks to the staff at Meighan Manor residence in Toronto who helped looked after our dad in the final months of his remarkable life. Much appreciation as well to caregivers Enid, Sidiaih and Patricia for helping to make Ernie's time at Meighan so comfortable and happy for him.

Friends may call at the Morley Bedford Funeral Home, 159 Eglinton Ave. West, (2 stoplights west of Yonge Street), Toronto, on Monday July 18, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Ernie's Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Monica's Church, 44 Broadway Ave., Toronto, on Tuesday, July 19th, at 11:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Toronto St. Michael's Hospital Foundation.