Russell "Rick" Matthews

Russell Edward (Rick) Matthews passed
away peacefully in his 66th year with
his family by his side on Saturday
May 19, 2018 in Calgary Alberta.
Rick leaves to cherish his memory his
loving wife of 38 years Erin ( nee Shoesmith ),
his children: Kevin ( Daina ) Matthews, Jordan
( Megan ) Matthews, Joey Matthews, Katie ( Marc) Ernst, his
granddaughters Paige and Reese Matthews and Skylar Matthews.
Also missing the big guy will be his brother Terry Bailey, his
brother and best friend Wes ( Carmen ) Dry, his sisters Beverly Dry,
Norma Jean Dry and Lynn Dry, his extended family including Joan
Shoesmith, Pamela ( Keith ) Newton and Geoff ( Carol ) Shoesmith
as well as numerous nieces and nephews including Carmelle,
Mason, Madison, Mathew (Laura), Josh, Nicole (Ryan), Kristina
(Cam ), David, Sigourney, Tracy and Chad as well as good friends
Ric Rae, Ben Smith and John ( Ingrid ) Hart.
Rick was predeceased by his infant son Joshua Luke Matthews,
his mother Elaine Joyce, his father Henry Dry and his father in law
J.C.( Chuck ) Shoesmith.
Rick was a big guy with a heart and a personality to match.
He had a lifelong ability to remember any joke and to be able
to repeat and entertain at any party, function or workplace that
he attended.
Rick entered this world as a bustling 12 lb 8 oz
baby in Alert Bay B.C. with childhood stops in Trail,
Kitimat, Lethbridge and Calgary. After deciding that a career in
academics was not for him he joined the military where he was
trained in his lifelong occupation of trucking.
Rick operated and drove for various companies including South
Rock Paving, Med Hat Wholesale Foods, Alberta Express and
Medalta Transport before moving into sales his God gifted
occupation eventually owning and operating Laker Freight
Systems until its sale when he retired to the Crowsnest Pass and
worked in various locations to keep himself busy.
Rick had a lifelong passion for the outdoors where he and Erin
enjoyed many years of entertaining family and friends at their
cabin on Lee Lake in the Crowsnest Pass suitably named the
“Sitting Duck”. Rick was a skilled Fisherman always willing to take
people out for a tour or a troll on his barge to bring in some big
Rainbows.
When not at the cabin Rick could quite often be found in his
garage on that stool cheering on his B.C. Lions or any and all
other sporting events.
A celebration of Ricks life is being planned for the weekend of
August 25, 2018 in Blairmore Ab. with details to be released at a
further date. Please call or email Geoff (trailside@live.com) or Wes
(wesdry@wdinc.ca) with a question or RSVP by Aug 15,2018 as
Ricks life touched so many people.
Donations in Ricks memory can be made to a SPCA or animal
rescue charity in your area or just simply adopt and give a pet a
good home as Rick and Erin have done so many times.R.E (Rick ) Matthews
Oct. 10, 1951 – May 19, 2018

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Russell "Rick" Matthews, please visit our floral store.