It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Matt on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at the age of 98 years at the Davidson Health Centre. He was predeceased by his wife Nellie; grandson Lyle; parents George and Mary Pillipow; brothers Russel and Ladimer; brothers-in-law John Kapuschuk, Joe Schwab, Ron Bennett, Fred Firby, Jim Smiley, Joe Bax, Harold Schatz, George Crawford and Joe Matonovich; sisters-in-law Mickey (Delia) Bax, Shirley Huggins, and Bunny (Bernice) Firby. He is survived by his son Norman and daughter-in-law Lynda; granddaughters Janice (Joe) Halabura, Jill (Nels Howells) and great-granddaughter Payton Halabura; brothers and sisters Olga Kapuschuk, Mike (Florence) Pillipow, Elizabeth Schwab, Helen Bennett, Alex (Inez) Pillipow; brothers and sisters-in-law Edna Pillipow, Myrna Pillipow, Janet Crawford, Audrey Matonovich, Ron Firby, Lorraine Firby and Ray Huggins, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Matt was born on July 29, 1913 in Goodeve, Sask. His family started a homestead in the R.M. of Stanley in Goodeve in June of 1908. In the fall of 1925 they moved to Northern Ontario for the winter. But in 1926 they returned to Saskatchewan and rented a farm in the Horseshoe Lake District by Kenaston; they remained there until 1928. When Matt was 15 the family then bought land in the McCraney School District. In 1936 he started farming on his own 15 miles northeast of Kenaston in the Wyandotte School District. The family still farms and remains in the area today. On September 26, 1938, Matt married Nellie Firby of Kenaston. They had a son, Norman, in 1941. Growing up, Norm and his dad began farming together, fishing, curling and horseback riding. In 1965 Norm married Lynda Mills and built their home in the same family yard. Then came the grandchildren, Janice born August 25, 1968, Lyle on August 26, 1972 and Jillian on May 15, 1984. In January 2006, Payton was born to Janice and and Joe Halabura. Matt now had his first great-grandchild. Matt was well-known as a hard-working farmer. He took great pride in his farm and enjoyed being part of this operation until 2010, when he somewhat retired. Matt and Nellie enjoyed various holidays during their time together: Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta, Alaska, as well as many bus trips to the States. Among these was his favorite, the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas; he was always lucky at the slots. Years ago Matt enjoyed playing the guitar and violin for school and barn dances, and in later years for his family and friends. He was always considered a good carpenter and helped build the Hills Curling Rink, Kenaston Curling Rink and with Norm and Lynda’s home. He also helped with many of his neighbors’ projects. Matt was an avid curler during the years, curling with his son Norm, and others in local bonspiels and schedule curling. There was always time for visiting neighbors, friends and family. Years ago it was nothing to hitch up a team of horses to a cutter and travel for miles. He and Nellie were always in close contact with the Pillipow and Firby families and enjoyed card games and get-togethers with them. Most of all he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. On August 28, 2004 Janice married Joe Halabura and Payton Joelle was born January 9, 2006. Jill became engaged to Nels Howells of Kenaston in February of 2011. Matt’s granddaughters were of great pride to him and he enjoyed the company of their young men as well. He enjoyed showing them the ropes around the farm and they in turn enjoyed the stories he had from past years. Matt enjoyed picking apples with Payton and her company in the big truck at harvest, Jill driving the combine and Janice and Payton riding in the truck with him. Matt resided in his home in Kenaston, that he and Nellie built, till April of 2011. He enjoyed coffee row and visiting with friends and neighbors. Most of all Matt enjoyed coming to the farm. Special thanks to everyone at the Davidson Health Centre, they made his last four-and-a-half months peaceful and gave him such good care. Matt’s funeral took place August 16 at Kenaston Place, with St. Columba Anglican Church’s Rev. Derek Nichols presiding. Genuine thanks to the pallbearers, ushers, readers and registers and to his granddaughters, Janice and Jill, for giving the eulogy and preparing a PowerPoint presentation of his 98 years. Grandpa would have been so proud! Special thanks to Hanson’s Funeral Home. Sincere thanks to all that shared in his life, sending cards, flowers and gifts. Matt will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his family, Norm and Lynda; Janice, Joe and Payton and Jill and Nels.