We are deeply saddened to announce the peaceful passing of Arthur James Mattice on January 26th in Ladner BC.  We would like to honor, celebrate, and remember our beloved Father, cherished Husband, a dedicated Pappa and incredible Friend, Arthur James Mattice.  Best known to many as just Art. 

He is survived by his wife, Christine; son Ken, wife Alanna, grandchildren Kurtis and Sydney; daughter Laurie, husband George (& children Eli, David, Sarah).

Born in 1946, in Brockville Ontario he was one of 13 children to William and Thelma Mattice. He shared so many stories over the years of antics that he and his siblings would get up to being raised on a farm in demanding times, but they always found a way to find joy and happiness. Lessons he continued to share with us throughout our lives. 

He met his beloved soulmate Christine while attending Frontenac High School, Kingston Ontario when they were both teenagers and they fell in love and married a few short years later. Their bond and relationship continued to grow stronger as they journeyed through life’s trials and tribulations together as an unbreakable team.  After almost 60 years of knowing each other, they remained deeply in love, and were best friends enjoying the simple pleasures of just being together and especially when out in nature camping and fishing by the water. Art had a giant heart filled with love for our Mom and he was known to write her love letters and surprise her with thoughtful gestures of his devotion and desire to make her happy.  He was a romantic, funny, caring and incredibly loving partner that selflessly cared and nurtured their bond. Chris will feel the profound loss of his presence and miss him deeply every day.  Their lives were dedicated to each other.

Art became a father, and he called us his millionaire family. He always made family his priority. He worked tirelessly just to ensure that we never went without and that we were happy and loved.  He sacrificed so much over the years for us all, always being available to share life lessons, talk things through with an endless amount of encouragement and belief in us as little humans figuring out life.  He modeled integrity, honesty, and commitment for us as we continued to grow and create our own path in life with loved ones and extended families.  He welcomed them all with open arms of acceptance. He was such an empathetic listener, and his advice was from the heart, always considering all aspects and thoughtfully empowering us to trust and believe in our own abilities to resolve.  As an avid camper, hunter, and fisherman he and Kenny shared so many adventures out in the wild that will forever be imprinted.  It is not possible to share on a few short pages the lifetime of memories he gifted us with, there were so many that we will forever smile to think of them as they are deep in our hearts, and they continue to bless us every day as we honor his life. He was the absolute best Dad, and we are devastated he is no longer here with us to share our lives with. 

Being a Pappa to Sydney and Kurtis was one of Arts greatest joys and one that he took extremely seriously.  If he was not at home, he was at their house visiting and getting to share in memories every single day.  He made them laugh, he played games with them, he taught them little things and he spoiled them in the best conceivable way, with love.  He was a regular at both Sydney and Kurtis’s sporting events and was always one of the first persons they called to share good news.  He also had a special gift (even before technology) to know where everyone was, all the time and always happened to just show up to be there.  He had a warm and comfortable way of being able to communicate with them and so they benefitted by having him as both a confidant and friend.  Family was the most important thing to Art. His life choices were always around family and being able to bring us all together, create peace, harmony and a cohesive bond.  It was his entire life and it filled his days with a meaningful purpose.

Art loved sports.  He grew up playing fastball and hockey and was a skilled pitcher with a natural gift both on and off the field.  In Ladner he coached both fastball and hockey over the years and became deeply involved in the athletic communities and associations to support and drive youth teams.  His endless dedication and mentorship would impact so many generations of boys as they grew into men over the years. Those under his care as Coach thrived by his firm but encouraging nature, teaching sportsmanship and the winning mindset. All life lessons for them to continue into their future. 

Art had a passion for fast cars, speed racing and mechanics from an early age and he turned that passion into a profession by attending Technical College in Bellville Ontario earning an International Ticket as a prestigious award. He continued to work as an Automotive Mechanic throughout his life with most of his career being as both a Mechanic and owner of Ladner Esso.  Here is where so many of the community met Art and were introduced to both his talents with motor vehicles and his incredible generosity, his fun sense of humor and his sense of responsibility to all those that would enter his shop. He would take on the responsibility of fixing their vehicle issues and build bonds that went on to last lifetimes.  He was both respected and well loved within Ladner for being such a stand-up man that built his reputation on trust and honesty.

Art was a true-blue friend.  He valued his friendships deeply and he cared so much about those that were in his circle of companions.  I am sure they all have their own special memories of our Dad and many probably took place on a golf course or two.  He loved to play golf and was thrilled when he was able to join his buddies on some of their special trips over the years to play some games and share in some good times. He had so much love for his friends and would always speak so highly of the friendships that he had and how lucky he was to meet and know them. 

We would be amiss to not mention our Dad’s love of animals.  He is known in his neighbourhood as the Dog Whisperer.  We feel this is the perfect way to describe him, since there was rarely a dog that would pass by his house that would not see my Dad and come running.  They absolutely adored him.  When he had Beau, (his best friend, a black lab) he would be out on daily walks and over to Bell Park and he formed so many precious friendships with not just the dogs but also their owners too. We like to think that all those in doggy heaven are now joyfully celebrating his arrival. 

We are just so very sad for our Dads passing and we know our Mom is mourning the loss of her beloved husband but I want to close this on a positive note because we know that he would want that.  He would want us to celebrate his life and legacy each and every day, and all the many ways that we have been touched by his lovely soul and generous heart. He would want to be remembered as a man that deeply loved his family and that may have made a small difference in your life. We love you Dad, and we are forever grateful for a lifetime of your love and commitment!

Out of respect for our Dads wishes, we will not be holding a service or celebration of life.  There will be a memorial bench placed within Ladner in his honor.

He will live on in all of us.