Obituary of Eric Matchim

Eric LeRoy Matchim

1933 – 2021

Eric LeRoy Matchim was born August 18, 1933, in Grand Falls to Cecil and Jessie Matchim. Eric lived there for his first ten years before moving back to his father’s hometown of Sandy Cove in December of 1943. Eric spent his summer days fishing with his father and uncles. His winter days were spent harvesting wood with his dad. Eric loved dogs and working with horses in the woods. His favorite horse was a Clydesdale named Old Rube, he would say Old Rube was the smartest animal that he ever worked with. Five years later in December 1948, Eric and family moved to Deer Lake where he met the love of his life Cora Langdon, while she was working at Noseworthy’s Store. They married on April 20, 1954, and had 66 years of happiness together before Cora’s passing. Eric loved to go berry picking with his family, ending the day with a “cook up” by a river or brook. Eric built his family home doing all his own maintenance and he kept the family vehicles repaired, and in good working order. Eric enjoyed taking family vacations around the island and later across Canada to spend time with his children. He was known for his kindness and was loved by everyone who met him.

He will be remembered and forever missed by his nine children: Beverley Pelley, Newman (Shirley), Calvin (Rita), Gary (Jocelyn), Byron (Barb), Sharon Cross (Dion Parsons), Pamela Mercer (Bill), Bobby (Tara), and Brian Paul (Benny). His grandchildren; Crystal, Melissa, Patti, Stacey, Ryan, Payton, Ashdon, Scott, Jamie, Brandon, Paul, Alicia, Dawson, Gannon, Kirkland, Jada, Brent, Amanda, and Ericka. His great grandchildren; David, Tayla, Wyatt, Murdoch, Leonard, Winston, Kai, Caden, Brooklyn, Hailey, Madeline, Kalen, Lucas, Chloe, and Jackson, and special nephew Barry.

Also leaving to mourn his many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and extended family and friends.

Eric was predeceased by his parents; Cecil and Jessie Matchim, his mother and father-in-law; Louise and Archibald Langdon, brothers; Bobby and Gordon, sister; Shirley, son in law; David Pelley and his granddaughter Saphire.

Special thanks to the wonderful home support workers whom enabled him to remain in his own home as long as possible. Special thanks also to the kind and compassionate staff at the Western Memorial Long-Term Care in Corner Brook who cared for and supported him over the past seven months.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 12^th 2021 from 3 pm to 5 pm at Fillatre’s Funeral Home, 10 Clinic Drive, Deer Lake. Vaxpass and I.D. required.
Funeral Service will be held on Monday, December 13^th 2021 from 2 pm at Emmanuel Pentecostal Church. Please call the Church Office at 635-3061 to pre register. Interment to follow at the Pentecostal section of the Deer Lake Interdenominational Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Western Regional Hospital Foundation, directed to Western Long Term Care or Emmanuel Pentecostal Church Local Benevolence Fund.