Ernie Matai

November 20, 1948 – February 11, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ernie Matai after a courageous battle with cancer, on Saturday, February 11, 2023. Left to mourn his memory are: Edith, his best friend and wife of 54 years; children Cherie (Derrick), Russell (Serena) and David (Victoria); grandchildren Alexandra (Jesh), Kendell, Lauren and Ben and expected great-grandchild in September 2023. Ernie was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Nothing was more important than his family. If you knew Ernie you knew that he was passionate about Ford vehicles, John Deere equipment, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, farming and his cattle. Ernie was always involved in community activities. He spent many years on local school boards, with minor hockey, the Optimist Club and Knights of Columbus. In 1999 he became a councillor for the RM of Touchwood. He became Reeve in 2009 and remained there until his passing. In December of 2022 he was presented with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for public service. Ernie was predeceased by his father Frank Matai; father-in-law Albert Hartl; brothers-in-law Dale Grant and Franck Stangl. He leaves to mourn his mother Velma; sisters Irene (Garry), Pat (August), Dianne (Brent), and Shirley (Garnet); brother Murray (Judy), and in-laws Larry (Elaine), Brad (Ada), Joan (Todd) and Laura; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. We are asking that memorial donations in Ernie’s name may be made to St. Mary’s Hungarian Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 94, Raymore, SK, S0A 3J0. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. in the Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Raymore, Saskatchewan, with interment at St. Mary’s Hungarian Cemetery. Funeral Service will be livestreamed, to view the livestream on the day of the service please visit https://www.facebook.com/ALifeWellCelebrated, fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leefunerals.com for the Matai family.