He is predeceased by his loving parents: Mother, Brenda Mary Stonham in 2011, Stepdad, Douglas Goland Stonham in 2004, and his father, Randle Mathews in 1967. He is survived by his loving family: Barbara Mathews (Ron) of Shawnigan Lake; Son, Randy Mathews (Renee); Daughter, Julie Ashton (David) of Saanich; Sister, Merridy Mathews-Lloyd (Richard) of North Saanich; Sister, Connie Hayden (Russ) of Saanich; Daughter In-law, Lisa Gerrett of Prince George; Grandchildren: Matthew Ashton, Melanie Ashton both of Victoria, Kaitlyn Mathews (Jaiden) & Keanna Mathews of Shawnigan Lake & Kesler Mathews of Prince George ; and his special friend Phyllis Taylor of Comox.
Barrie was born at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in 1944, his first year was living in Prince Rupert where his Dad was posted as a Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy during WW2. In 1945 they moved to North Saanich and his parents established Randle’s Landing (which is now known as Westport Marina). There in Tsehum Harbour was his home until about 1965. Barrie contracted polio in 1953 when he was 9 years old, this was the year before the Salk vaccine came out. He spent 6 months isolated in a solarium up in Mill Bay, he has worn a brace on one leg ever since. Barrie attended Deep Cove Elementary School, North Saanich School, Shawnigan Lake private school & St. Michaels University School . Barrie worked hard throughout the years helping his Dad repairing the floats, hauling out and painting rental boats. He also helped his Dad with fishing charters, towing the barge & log booms as well. In 1959 the new BC Ferries Swartz Bay terminal & new highway was built & completed in 1960. Unfortunately the BC Gov’t expropriated 5 acres of the family property including the original home. So, shortly after, a new family home was built in the field on their property next to the marina. In 1968, a year after the death of Barrie’s father, Randle’s Landing, including the family house, was sold to Westport Marina. His Mom, then, on her own built another home nearby and developed a cul de sac naming it Randle’s Lane, where she lived for over 35 years, and where Merridy & Richard now live .
After graduating from high school, Barrie moved up to Campbell River, Prince Rupert and Duncan for awhile working in auto body repair shops. In the late 1960’s he returned to North Saanich and operated a body shop on the marina property until he met and married Barbara in 1967, and together they built and operated Barry’s Auto Body Shop. Shortly after, Randy was born. In 1968 they bought a 3 acre property in North Saanich and began building their own home. Julie was born in 1969, and shortly after her birth, they moved into their new home on John Road. In the 70’s Barb & Barrie joined the Kinsmen Club and became very involved with this service club, meeting many of their very long lasting friends. In 1975 they sold Barry’s Auto Body Shop to Superior Collision, which has carried on today. In 1975 Barrie went into construction work with his friend Gordon Pederson. In the late 70’s and into the 80’s Barbara and Barrie started their own construction company called B Mathews Construction. He built many commercial buildings and homes on the peninsula and surrounding areas, he was a very well respected builder and employer. He enjoyed hunting trips in the early days with his buddies Gord and Brian, and always enjoyed boating with his family and friends. Barbara and Barrie spent many summer family vacations on their boat with Randy and Julie exploring the islands and destinations all throughout the gulf islands, and as far up as Stuart Island as well as the San Juan Islands. In the late 80’s Barrie decided to return to college to obtain his engineering degree and he graduated with the highest marks and a lot of respect from his younger classmates. In around 1987-89 Randy and Julie left the nest, and then in 1993 Barbara and Barrie had completed the build of their new home on the waterfront in Mill Bay. Barrie worked at some engineering firms until 1997, he then developed his own standards management software company , which he named Softco . He opened an office in Langford in 1998. In 2005 he moved the business into their home.
In early 2006 he sold one of his commercial properties on Galaran Avenue. This afforded Barb and Barrie to retire and start some adventures beginning with a cross Canada trip and then circumnavigated trip back through the USA in their camper. Barbara and Barrie continued to go south every winter until 2018 travelling to Arizona, then Texas for a few years where they continued to meet new long lasting friends. In 2008 Barrie was diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer, which he battled hard and won to the point of successful eradication. In 2016 they sold their home in Mill Bay, as Barrie yearned to return to his roots in Sidney and reacquaint with old friends from the Kinsmen days, like the Wrights, whom they spent time with golfing and outings together. In 2021, Barrie met Phyllis Taylor and he spent his last four months golfing, chartering a Grand Banks boat which he confidently captained, then also travelling to Banff and Lake Louise and visiting his granddaughter in Prince George. Barrie was in a content happy place in his final months coming out of the lockdowns and living life doing things he loved to do. Barrie always helped others and his heart was always in the right place. He was honest and trustworthy to the core, he was respected and loved and will be very sadly missed by his family and friends.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, October 29th @ 2pm at First Memorial @ 4725 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC. . Please request your attendance to Julie at [email protected] . Condolences and messages can be left at www.firstmemorialsaanich.com
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