1933-2016
Born on March 15th, 1933, in Marsden, Lancashire, England, Peter passed away unexpectedly on August 21st, 2016, at St. Joseph Hospital in Comox, BC. Predeceased by his parents Frank and May Matley (nee Aspinall) and his precious and loving wife Midori (in December 2013), he leaves behind his adoring sister Peggy Horton (nee Matley) of Plymouth, Devon, UK, along with her children Lee and Kim and great nephew Michael. Peter’s first employer was with Marconi Marine Telecommunications as a radio operator. During a posting to sea, Peter met Midori in Japan. After a short romance, they were married. Peter contracted pulmonary TB immediately post war, and Midori dutifully nursed him through his illness. He took great pride in being a Radio and Communications Operator at posts such as Lands End, Alert Bay and Ucluelet. It was in Ucluelet that Peter and Midori decided to put down roots. Peter worked at Amphitrite Vessel Traffc Monitoring Station as manager. Upon retirement, he went on to run a B&B with Midori, and welcomed guests from around the world. An avid golfer, Peter was a founding member of the Long Beach Golf Club. He lived a full and adventurous life and traveled extensively. The principles of Freemasonry agreed with Peter, and he was fondly and widely respected within the Masonic family on Vancouver Island and throughout BC. He entered Manoah Masonic Lodge on the 2nd of November 1985, and became a Master Mason on the 7th of June 1986. He served three times as Master of Manoah Lodge in To no and occupied the offices of Chaplain, Historian and Treasurer many times. The Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon recognized his commitment by naming him Grand Steward in 1998. Not one to be stagnant in his education, Peter immersed himself in philosophy, theology, Freemasonry, and classical literature. He graduated from Thompson River’s University as a member of the first graduating class of that new University in 2005, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree, the eldest member of his class at the age of 72. Peter will be greatly missed by his many friends in the Comox Valley, Ucluelet and To no, as well as by other friends around the world. A Celebration of Peter Matley’s Life will be held at the To no Legion on Sunday, October 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. Everyone welcome.