It is with profound sorrow that the Matheson family announces our father’s passing at the age of 91 on December 4, 2023 in North Vancouver after a short illness. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 55 years, Ruth; parents John and Amy Matheson; sister Jean Fraser; and niece Margaret Brownrigg.

Missing him deeply are his sons Cam (Cathy), Craig (Darius), Bruce (Shereen), and Ian (Alicia); cherished grandchildren Alexa, Graham, Kyle, Ryan, Cole, Graydon, and Kaia; sister-in-law Mary Ellen Polak; brother-in-law Bob Gibson (Patricia); niece Ann Mickenberg (Harvey); and nephew Craig Fraser (Brenda).

Born in Edmonton on September 7, 1932, Dad spent his early years in the town of Ponoka, Alberta, before moving to Victoria at age 10. Though he regarded himself a prairie boy, Victoria always held a special place in his heart.

While attending medical school at UBC, he met Ruth Gibson, the love of his life. They married in May 1957, the same week each graduated. In 1964, having outgrown their little house in North Vancouver, they moved to West Vancouver shortly after the arrival of their fourth son, delivered suddenly at home by Dad.

Meanwhile, after graduation, Dad interned at VGH, spent a year in surgery and pathology at Shaughnessy Hospital, and trained three years in ophthalmology at VGH, plus stints in the US and Toronto. He earned his Canadian certification in 1963 and became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada in 1965.

After three years of private practice on his own, he set up a practice in Burnaby with three other ophthalmologists, Drs. Jack Siddall, Sam Gibson and Bill Martin. They were later joined by Drs. Bill Pratt and Larry Daitz, followed by several other partners over the years. In 2018, after 55 years of private practice, Dad retired.

Dad always put the interest of his patients first and practised medicine with a high degree of skill and integrity. He received a long service award from Burnaby Hospital in recognition of his many years of service to the hospital and the community.

Outside his practice, family life kept him busy, coaching us in minor league hockey and little league baseball, vacations in Hawaii and California, visits to grandparents in Victoria, our property on Gabriola Island, skiing at Whistler, and watching the Canucks.

A member of Hollyburn Country Club for 60 years, Dad was an avid tennis player and valued his many longtime friendships made on the court. Still playing at 90, though, he lamented not being as quick as he once was. Other lifelong passions were the piano and music, particularly jazz, which he could often be heard at home playing by ear. He also loved his cars and meticulously maintained them.

In the early ’90s, Dad and Mom moved to a townhouse in North Van, their last home. They loved time with the grandchildren, reading, visiting with friends, vacationing on Molokai, and cheering on the Canucks. In 2013, we lost our Mom. After 55 years of marriage, Dad was heartbroken. He never stopped missing her.

Dad often joked that his sons were all much better travelled than him. In his last decade, he made up for lost time, traveling with us to Machu Picchu, the Amazon, the Galápagos, India, Nepal, Africa, Central Europe, the UK, and France.

Dad was the eternal optimist and enthusiastic about everything. He was also very curious about people and the world. He valued his patients, some of whom he cared for for four generations, and was endlessly fascinated by their diverse backgrounds. He treasured his many friends and his Tiffany Pines neighbours. Most of all, he cherished his family.

A celebration of Dad’s life will be held at Capilano Golf Club (420 Southborough Dr, West Van) on Saturday, February 22 from 1-4.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Lions Gate Hospital Foundation in support of the North Shore Hospice with the link below. Please ensure you make it In Memory of Dr. Donald Craig Matheson. Bruce Matheson will be notified by LGHF of your gift.