MATTEOTTI Leo

1950~ 2014
Leo Giuliano Matteotti of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Kathleen, father of Christina and Garret, son of Bruno and Emilia, and brother of Rose Marie and Ralph, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on June 3rd, 2014. He was born in Dro, Italy on January 9th 1950. The family immigrated to Canada in June 1950 and settled on Lethbridge’s north side. His fondest times were those spent with his family. Growing up, he worked in the garden with his mother and climbed mountains with his father. He loved the camaraderie of baseball, broomball, and hockey; was an excellent cook and an avid golfer; and loved starting the day with a crisp newspaper. Leo was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2007. Following this diagnosis, he was even more determined to live life to the fullest. Leo and Kathleen loved travelling together: with his brother and sister, they visited his extended family in his native Italy; went to the beaches of Dieppe; journeyed to London for Christina’s PhD graduation; and golfed in Arizona during the Canadian winter. He was always up for a project, helping Garret build the basement in his first house. He loved following the progress of his New York Yankees, Green Bay Packers, and Montreal Canadiens, visiting Yankee Stadium with Kathleen and Lambeau Field with Garret. More recently, he took up duplicate bridge and relished the sense of community and the chance to build up his master points. And, of course, time spent on the golf course, especially with the Orfuns, was always a highlight. He and his family are grateful for the excellent care he received throughout his courageous battle with cancer. In particular, we would like to thank Dr Bahlis and Dr Neri at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, the extraordinary nurses and Dr Benke at the Jack Ady Cancer Centre in Lethbridge, and all of the staff at the Chinook Regional Hospital. He was immensely proud of his family and very grateful for his friends. We will remember his kind and gentle nature, his tremendous depth of thought, strong moral compass, his devotion to those he cared about, and his thirst for life. He led quietly and powerfully by example and enriched the lives of all who knew him. He will be greatly missed and very fondly remembered. Friends are invited to join the family for a Prayer Service, which will be held 7:00 P.M., on Friday, June 6, 2014 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4th St. S., Lethbridge, AB. A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at 11:00 A.M., on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION CHURCH, 2405-12th Ave. S., Lethbridge, AB, with Father Kevin Tumback, Celebrant. Interment to follow in Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Leo’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, 317-10th St. S., Lethbridge, AB, T1J 2M7. Send condolences at www.mbfunerals.com.