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Obituary of John-Peter Matthews


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MATTHEWS, John Peter "Squire" 1921 - 2008 John Peter "Squire" Matthews, long-time Calgarian. On Monday, January 7, 2008. Born in Birkenhead Parish, Cheshire, to James and Marion, he was raised in Halifax, West Yorkshire by his grandmother and great-aunt Grace and Clara Stansfield. Prior to WWII (1938 - 1945), he graduated King Edward School naval academy at Whitley, Surrey, where he received his first communion in the school chapel. A Cruiser tank driver with the Royal Armoured Corps, British Middle East Command, he was the only one in his unit to survive Operation Battleaxe in which the promises of the lives of thousands were lost. Burned and captured in Libya on June 15, 1941, he was imprisoned at Camp PG 52 at Chiavari, Italy before spending four years at Stalag VIII B in Lamsdorf, Germany. During the infamous forced death march across Germany and Poland in the winter and spring of 1945, in which hundreds of emaciated allied POWs perished in the winter temperatures, he attempted escape by running towards an advancing American military column but was foiled by German field police. A model citizen with English instincts who contributed to the building of post-war Canada, he immigrated to Canada in 1952 and settled in Calgary with his first wife, Winnifred, who predeceased him in 1983. While his manners remained unmistakably British and his long career with the Canadian military and petroleum industries took him throughout Alberta, into Canada's Arctic, and Quebec, he always cherished home life in Calgary spending many hours instructing friends on the proper use of tools, rebuilding antique cars and gardening. He loved reading do-it-yourself and English poetry books at Fish Creek Library on Saturday mornings. A protege of Alex Munro, the English bred City of Calgary horticulturists, Squire loved tending his roses, peonies and clematis vines. An orphan, veteran and sufferer of war related PTSD, after retirement, he devoted himself to helping people struggling with disadvantage. A founder of the National Ad Hoc Committee for the Protection of the Mentally Ill and the Footprints Dance Project, he was a Royal Canadian Legion member, a contributor to the arts and Past-Vice-President of the machinery erectors union. He was predeceased by many friends, colleagues, and sister Connie (Don Lonsdale) of Detroit. He leaves behind his partner Ella Pappas-Matthews; nephews Michael and Dale Lonsdale; stepchildren Beryl Beaudry, Dr. Matina Kalcounis-Rueppel, Neah Kalcounis, Anthony Kalcounis, and their families; his friends Liz and Nancy, friends and relatives in England. Last care, prayer service and fellowship will take place at his Oakridge home at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, Reverend Grant Rodgers, St. Peter's Anglican Church officiating. Last Post, Reveille and Colour Party Thursday, January 10, 2008, 9848 Oakhill Drive S.W. RSVPs and condolences may be forwarded to the family through www.commemorativeservices.ca . (Telephone 265-1199). Those wishing to honor Squire should do acts of community benefaction. May his memory be eternal. Arrangements in care of COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES FUNERAL DIRECTORS. Telephone: 265-1199. Calgary Family Owned and Operated www.commemorativeservices.ca. Published in the Calgary Herald from 1/8/2008 - 1/9/2008

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Obituary Publication:

On January 8, 2008 (Calgary Herald, AB)


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Last update: 2023-10-10

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