SIMONS, Mathieu
Posted: July 21st, 2016SIMONS
MATHIEU (MATT) H. SIMONS of Lethbridge passed away on July 18th 2016 at the age of 77 years. He is the loving father of Diane Simons (Russell & Jordana, Jeni & Travis), Matthew Simons (Alexander & Jonathon), Rita (Lubo) Vitanov (Danny & Kayla, Jessica & Judd, Amy & Karl, Marcel & Courtney) and Mark (Tracy) Simons (Mariah, Emily, Aiden), 10 great grandchildren, and his beloved fiancé Janet. He also leaves to mourn his brothers; Frank (Gladys), Pierre (Mary Lou), Charlie (Judy), Willy (Antoinette) and sister-in-laws, Johanna and Tina. He was predeceased by his parents, Peter & Tina, his brothers Al & Joe and his sister Elly.
Matt was born on June 11th 1939 in Mechelen, Limburg in the Netherlands. In 1956, along with his parents and his 7 siblings, he immigrated to Canada and arrived in Southern Alberta. The family worked various jobs for the next few years and then Matt attended NAIT to become a Bricklayer. Over the next many years Matt, his father & several brothers owned and operated Peter Simons & Sons Construction, building quality homes in Lethbridge and Southern Alberta for many people.
In 2001 Matt was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Over the next several years he underwent numerous rounds of chemotherapy while continuing to work and live an active life. During the last few years of his fight with cancer, he witnessed the misery of many people in the Tom Baker and Jack Ady Cancer Centers and he volunteered to participate in clinical trials to help researchers test new chemo drugs to, as he once said, “maybe help someone down the road”.
Matt loved nothing more than the adventure of driving around picking rocks which he transformed into beautiful creative works. He also loved to travel, walking & hiking, his social circle (you know who you are) which convened at various pubs, antiques, music & dancing, but most of all his family.
Family and Friends are invited to a Memorial Service and Reception which will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825- 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, July 22, 2016, at 11:00 A.M., with Deacon Cliff Bogdan officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, 710- 10123- 99 Street, Edmonton, AB, T5J 3H1 or albertacancer.ca to follow Matt’s wishes to defeat this horrible disease.
To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com