Obituary of Peter Matwick

PETER MATWICK The family of Peter Matwick is saddened to announce his passing at Brandon Regional Health Centre on Sunday, January 13, 2013. Born in Brandon on February 4, 1924, the youngest of Stephan and Marcella Matwick's eight children, Peter attended David Livingstone and Earl Oxford Schools until he enlisted with the 71st Field Battery of the 8th Canadian Army Field Regiment on December 21, 1939 at the age of 15. Peter was honoured to have had the opportunity to serve his country during the Second World War. He left Brandon for overseas in January 1940, landing in Grenoch, Scotland. After serving in the UK for 4 years, Peter's Regiment went on to the Mediterranean, pausing for a few days in Algiers due to the presence of German submarine packs. Then on to Naples and 14 months on the Italian front. He then served in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany until the end of hostilities on May 8, 1945. Upon his return to Brandon and civilian life, Peter was employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway as a brakeman and later spent 18 years as a Constable with the Brandon City Police. He moved to Winnipeg in 1980, returning to his hometown after retiring in 1996. It didn't take long for Peter to become bored, so he took on a Free Press delivery route at 75 years of age before finally retiring at 80. Peter was a man with many interests and talents. He loved a good practical joke and had a great sense of humour. He was well known for his award-winning Christmas displays in the 60's. For a few years he was obsessed with tropical fish, filling the basement with numerous aquariums, most notably a 6-foot long built-in tank. In his earlier years he also enjoyed competitive target shooting and golf. Peter was an avid reader, as long as it was war-related or biographical. His favourite passion was going out for coffee with his pals, especially long-time friends Lloyd Collister and Rod McKay. Never afraid of a challenge, Peter learned how to email and download music when in his 80's. Left to mourn is daughter Maxine Sobkow of Brandon, sons Brent of Saskatoon, Mark (Angela) and Paul (Ivy) of Winnipeg, and grandchildren Adam (Jessica) Sobkow, Phil (fiancée Paige Dakin) Sobkow, Brendan and Alison Matwick, Jesse and Nicholas Allaman, Nathanial and Madison Matwick, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate Peter's life will be held at Brockie Donovan Funeral Chapel, 332-8th Street, on Monday, January 21, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. with Fr. Don Bernhardt officiating. A private family interment will take place in the Veteran's Section at the Brandon Cemetery following the service. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Valleyview Care Centre for their care of Peter over the last two years and to the health care professionals at the Brandon Regional Health Centre for their compassionate care in Peter's last hours. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in Peter's memory to a charity of your choice.