Obituary of Hugh Douglas Mattison

MATTISON, Hugh Douglas 1950 ~ 2012 Hugh passed away peacefully in the Spirit River Hospital on February 22, 2012 after a long struggle with cancer. Predeceased by his wife Lesley and his father Harold, he is survived by his mother, Mary, his brother James (Dawn), his sister Leanne (Tim), his daughter Terry (Kendal), his sons Luc (Stacey) and David, and his 7 grandchildren Tyrel, Colten, William, Kayleigh, James, Cooper and Ethan. Hugh was born in Calgary, Alberta on July 3, 1950. His parents soon returned to BC and settled in Creston in 1952, where Hugh grew up and attended school. Hugh was a beekeeper and a truck driver but he got into the building industry and became a journeyman carpenter, building many homes and businesses in the Creston area. Hugh and Lesley Carter married in 1976 and shortly after moved to Lister BC, where they lived in a church they converted to a home and where they raised their children. Hugh left the ups and downs of the construction business to become manager of the fruit packing plant in Erickson, where he spent many years. Lister was the family home until 1996 when they moved to Blueberry Mountain, Alberta, to be closer to their daughter and for the employment opportunities available to Hugh and their sons. After running Blueberry Mountain store for 6 years, Hugh closed the business and returned to construction for a time. In 2004, he joined the Saddle Hills Municipal District as a grader operator and truck driver, where he worked until a few weeks before his death. Hugh was an enthusiastic hunter and outdoorsman and was never happier than when heading into the mountains up a gravel road in his 4x4 for some fishing or camping with his family. The family wishes to thank Doctor Kitagawa and the nursing staff of the Spirit River Hospital who gave him such fine care and the great neighbours and friends who have been so supportive during Hugh's illness. Hugh was cremated and no service was held by request. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, #103 - 9805 - 97 Street, Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 8B9