Ray Ronald Matthews

MATTHEWS, Ray Ronald

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Ray Matthews of Oakville announce his passing on Monday, September 26th, 2022, at the age of 85 years old.

Ray was born on January 13th, 1937, in Bonfield, Ontario. He is remembered by friends and family as being the beloved husband of Wanita Matthews (Setchell) (deceased), for his life-long passion for guitar and music, his newfound hobby of painting and his love for his hometown.

He had a love for staying relevant on current affairs and he never shied away from posting his views on multiple social media platforms with his fiery comments & quick wit.  

He is survived by his children, Craig (Trudy), Kari-Ann (John), Kelly (Mike), and Krista (Steve). Grandchildren, Meghann (Jonathan), Gabe (Claire), Matthew (Charlotte), Sarah, Chris (Parvin), Tori, Luca, and Spencer; and great grandchildren, Winter and Felix.

He was the proud father to Wanita’s children, Susie, Steven (Yona), and Kim (Trevor), grandchildren, Bridgett, Kennedy, Cody, Zachary, Sabrina, Vanessa, Ethan, and Christian; and great-grandchildren: Sky, Cole, Emmett, and Presley.

Ray was predeceased by his parents Verbena (Houle) and Edward Matthews, and his siblings Wilfred, Leonard, Annabelle, and Stella.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 8th, 2022 at 11:30 am, followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:00 pm, held at St. Bernadette's Church in Bonfield, Ontario.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to an issue that touched Ray deeply, the Cleft lip / palate program at McMasters Children's Hospital. A baby with a cleft is born every 3 minutes leaving families in shock and facing a challenging first year but it is treatable.

There are 3 ways that you can donate:

1.            Mail in a cheque to

                PO Box 739, LCD 1

               Hamilton, ON  L8N 3M8

The cheque should be made payable to Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation.  Make note of the hospital and please specify In the memo or on a separate sheet enclosed in the envelope that the donation is to the McMaster Children Hospital - Cleft Lip and Palate Team in memory of Ray Matthews.

2.            Go online at https://www.hamiltonhealth.ca/memorialgiving. In this page you can make the gift in honour/Memory and picking which hospital, for the department choose “other” and you can type in the department and hospital (McMaster Children Hospital - Cleft Lip and Palate Team) in memory of Ray Matthews.

3.            By calling 905-521-2100  ext. 47045 with a credit card, once again please be sure to specify the hospital and department (McMaster Children Hospital - Cleft Lip and Palate Team) in memory of Ray Matthews.