March 28, 1942 - July 10, 2018
It is with great sadness the family of Matt Lanktree announces his passing on July 10, 2018 at the Elk Valley Hospital. One of 9 children, Matt was born in Sault St. Marie, ON on March 28, 1942 to Ray and Matilda Lanktree.
In 1974 Matt moved to Edmonton with his little family to a new job and new adventures. By 1976 the Lanktree family had settled in Fernie where Matt worked at the mine until moving to SMS Equipment where he remained until his retirement in 1999. Following his retirement, longtime Fernie residents Matt and Shirley moved to Jaffray to relax and enjoy life where he loved tinkering in his woodworking shop and fishing.
Matt was a family man who was always happiest when the children were around so he could be a kid too! When Matt first moved to Fernie and discovered there wasn't a local Boy Scouts organization for his boys; Matt took the bull by the horns and did something about it! Matt, along with Wayne Ferris, became the founding members of the Fernie Boy Scouts Association.
Matt was cheerful and loved practical jokes; he enjoyed putting a smile on everyone else's face. He was an avid fisherman; he loved the outdoors and hunting and was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.
Together Matt and Shirley loved to spend summers camping in Rexford, Montana. He loved taking family and his wonderful campsite friends out on his pontoon boat for the afternoon; or relaxing around the firepit enjoying many laughs and great conversation.
Matt will be remembered for his love of life and those around him. He will be missed!
Matt is survived by his wife of 53 years, the love of his life, Shirley; his children: Wes (Deb) of Athabasca, AB, Terry (Shelley) of Sydney, BC, and Sherry of Jaffray BC; 3 grandchildren: Kieran and Raylen of Sydney and Patrick of Jaffray; his brothers and sisters, all of Ontario: Pat, Bob, Peg, Ed, Bruce and Allen, and all of his nieces and nephews. Matt was predeceased by his parents, his brother Don and his sister Joan.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Elk Valley Hospice or Fernie Friends for Friends. No service will be held by request of Matt.
Memories & condolences shared at www.cherishedmemoriesfs.com Arrangements entrusted to Cherished Memories Funeral Services Ltd.
Cherished Memories Funeral Services Ltd.