Obituary for John Wayne Mathias
John “Johnny” Wayne Mathias died peacefully in the arms of his wife Sherri, his daughter Katie and his mother Marian (Hallewick)on November 6, 2023 at the age of 51 years. John had struggled with his health throughout his childhood; finally diagnosed with Elhers Danlos Syndrome in 1999- at the age of 26. That disease would continue to devastate his life.
John was a beautiful child, curious and intelligent, daring and creative. Despite numerous health challenges, his childhood was filled with adventure and calamity! Something he shared with his Pepe- (Art Lucier)- much to his mother’s dismay! Pepe would say they belonged to a mutual admiration society and raised John under the hood of his car as he did with his uncles. His Meme (Rita Lucier) taught him to cook and to knit and to sew- skills he was very proud of! John was social and friendly, fearlessly making his way around the neighborhood befriending children, adults and seniors- strays and pets! He was a loved child- an only child, but his mother Marian (nee Lucier) was one of 10. He had an immense extended family by today’s standards.
John endured school, and graduated, but his level of intelligence was not satisfied by the school curriculum. John taught himself to research and learn about the things that interested him. And his interests were music, animals and science.
John’s love for animals would ultimately be a driving force in his life- and John was a healer and a teacher- part of his life’s work, was helping people to overcome their fear of animals- for many it was life-changing! He believed that all of life belonged, and deserved a place and space- he helped others to comprehend the necessity of befriending wildlife and it was profoundly rewarding for him to know that he was contributing to the healing of our little blue planet.
Equal to his love of animals was John’s passion for music that began in childhood and evolved. He had a critical and discerning ear- he loved rebuilding and refurbishing guitars so that he could get the purest tones. A sensitive and eloquent man, John was a prolific writer and poet. He was incredibly gifted.
John and Sherri married on Valentines Day 1994 and remained committed to their vows to his final day. Despite the multiple complexities and progressive nature of his disease, and the impact it had on his day-to-day life, he always seemed to find ways to make Sherri laugh. He had a great and sometimes very goofy sense of humour coupled with profound devotion to her.
Nine months after they made their vows, John and Sherri welcomed their first and only child, a daughter they named Katie. Being a dad and family man brought a profound sense of meaning and purpose to John’s life. He adored his girls and was so proud of both!!!
As one final gift, John was able to donate his eyes to selflessly help one last time. Hopefully they are able to see things through his eyes, with the love that he shared.
John is predeceased by his Meme (Rita Lucier) his Pepe (Art Lucier), his father-in-law (Ray Attenborough) and many, many extended family members.
John will be forever loved and missed by his wife Sherri, his daughter Katie (Terry), his mother Marian and her husband Norm Hallewick, Norm’s daughter Stacey (Russ Robinet) and his son Rob (Stella Mah), his mother-in-law Betty as well as his many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, colleagues and friends - too numerous to be mentioned by name.
A Celebration of John’s Life will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 2 pm at Signature Tributes Event Centre, 3310 Dougall Avenue, South Windsor (519)969-5841, followed by a time to gather and visit with each other until 5 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ehlers Danlos Foundation will be greatly appreciated.
John was a beautiful child, curious and intelligent, daring and creative. Despite numerous health challenges, his childhood was filled with adventure and calamity! Something he shared with his Pepe- (Art Lucier)- much to his mother’s dismay! Pepe would say they belonged to a mutual admiration society and raised John under the hood of his car as he did with his uncles. His Meme (Rita Lucier) taught him to cook and to knit and to sew- skills he was very proud of! John was social and friendly, fearlessly making his way around the neighborhood befriending children, adults and seniors- strays and pets! He was a loved child- an only child, but his mother Marian (nee Lucier) was one of 10. He had an immense extended family by today’s standards.
John endured school, and graduated, but his level of intelligence was not satisfied by the school curriculum. John taught himself to research and learn about the things that interested him. And his interests were music, animals and science.
John’s love for animals would ultimately be a driving force in his life- and John was a healer and a teacher- part of his life’s work, was helping people to overcome their fear of animals- for many it was life-changing! He believed that all of life belonged, and deserved a place and space- he helped others to comprehend the necessity of befriending wildlife and it was profoundly rewarding for him to know that he was contributing to the healing of our little blue planet.
Equal to his love of animals was John’s passion for music that began in childhood and evolved. He had a critical and discerning ear- he loved rebuilding and refurbishing guitars so that he could get the purest tones. A sensitive and eloquent man, John was a prolific writer and poet. He was incredibly gifted.
John and Sherri married on Valentines Day 1994 and remained committed to their vows to his final day. Despite the multiple complexities and progressive nature of his disease, and the impact it had on his day-to-day life, he always seemed to find ways to make Sherri laugh. He had a great and sometimes very goofy sense of humour coupled with profound devotion to her.
Nine months after they made their vows, John and Sherri welcomed their first and only child, a daughter they named Katie. Being a dad and family man brought a profound sense of meaning and purpose to John’s life. He adored his girls and was so proud of both!!!
As one final gift, John was able to donate his eyes to selflessly help one last time. Hopefully they are able to see things through his eyes, with the love that he shared.
John is predeceased by his Meme (Rita Lucier) his Pepe (Art Lucier), his father-in-law (Ray Attenborough) and many, many extended family members.
John will be forever loved and missed by his wife Sherri, his daughter Katie (Terry), his mother Marian and her husband Norm Hallewick, Norm’s daughter Stacey (Russ Robinet) and his son Rob (Stella Mah), his mother-in-law Betty as well as his many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, colleagues and friends - too numerous to be mentioned by name.
A Celebration of John’s Life will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 2 pm at Signature Tributes Event Centre, 3310 Dougall Avenue, South Windsor (519)969-5841, followed by a time to gather and visit with each other until 5 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ehlers Danlos Foundation will be greatly appreciated.