Obituary of Henry Franklin Matthys, New Waterford

MATTHYS, Henry Franklin

New Waterford

On a beautiful summer evening August 2, 2019, at the age of 71, our amazing brother, grandfather, uncle, and love of Susie`s life, Henry Matthys, made his way to Heaven.

Henry was born on Hunters Mountain second youngest to the late Jenny (Farrar) and Clement Matthys.

Although we loved Henry with all our hearts, we couldn`t shield him from the heartbreak and sadness he would have in his lifetime.

Outwardly Henry looked like he had it all and to us and himself he did. Money meant nothing to him; his riches and love was for his family and friends.

He was very intelligent, had great confidence, that beautiful broad smile and most of all, his fantastic wit. He had the ability to engage and forge a relationship with anyone. He loved life even with it being so hard on him.

He was stricken with Polio at the age of two. His whole life was spent dancing around the fact that he would be different from everyone else. Early in life, Henry would lose his loving wife, Joan Gardiner, at the age of 24 and later both sons, Michael and Russell Matthys. Life wasn`t easy but he prepared himself knowing that every door that closed another door would open.

Henry is survived by his high school sweetheart, Susie MacPhee, whom he adored; sisters, Diane (Ivan) Stubbert, Ottawa, Helen (Andy) Hynes, River Ryan; grandsons, Josh and Michael Wall and granddaughter, Cheyanne Matthys. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Margie (Marcelle) Pierrard, Florence (Dave) Forrest, Josie (Donald) McKenzie, Judy Steele, Barb Merrit, Darlene (Wayne) Williams; brothers- in -law, Andrew (Bev) Gardiner , Joe (Heather) Gardiner, Ronnie(Lisa) Gardiner and numerous nieces and nephews.

He also had a special love for his two little nurses, Sierra Hynes and Zoey Webb, who loved to visit uncle Henry and help feed him and pamper him during their visits.

Henry is predeceased by a twin brother; brother, Gus (Sadie) Matthys; sister, Jean (Ronnie) Jefferon; mother and father- in- law, Joseph and Annabelle Gardiner. Henry was also predeceased by members of the Gardiner family, Alexander, Teeny, Effie and Ronald.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, August 7, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm in V. J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. Funeral service will be held in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, August 8 at 2 p.m. with Deacon Leo Penny officiating. Cremation will follow with burial in St. Michael’s Cemetery on Saturday August 10th at 2 p.m.

Donations in Henry`s memory may be made to Hospice/Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton and the 3rd floor at the New Waterford Hospital and to Maple Hill Manor.

Online condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca

`You are the wind beneath my Wings.`

The Matthys Family