Robert Maxwell Matthews

Robert M. Matthews was born in Bath, England May 4, 1920 to Reginald Matthews and Winifred Day Matthews. He grew up in Eastbourne, U.K. with his younger sister Barbara and attended Eastbourne College on a cricket scholarship. He excelled in mathematics, science, acting and cadet corps. Bob was a graduate of the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London and became a lead actor in a touring Repertory Theatre. He completed officer training at the outbreak of WW2 and served as an officer in the Royal Signals Corps in North Africa, and Europe. He lost his home and his mother in the bombing on England’s South Coast. In 1947 he returned from the war and was cast in a 2 character romantic play called “Village Wooing.” His co-star, June Alice Parkinson became his “leading lady” for life when they married in January 1948 for 61 joyful years. They had four children Anne, Peter, Paul and Mary. Bob continued his military career and received an advanced degree at the Royal Military College of Science. He served in the UK, was a CO in Malaya 1955-1957. He worked in the science and technology field for Ministry of Defense in London. This led to a posting to Canada in 1961 to develop early military drones. The Matthews family fell in love with North America and Bob retired from the British Army to work for Westinghouse and the Canadian Government. In 1971 he was assigned to the Canadian Embassy in Washington followed by a diplomatic post in Algeria. He returned to Ottawa and in 1978 moved to Florida as part of a family Orange Grove investment business. Throughout his life, Robert Matthews was an actor and theatre director. He organized shows for the troops in WW2 including a visit from the Andrews Sisters! In Canada, Bob acted in CBC television shows in addition to leading roles in various Ottawa Theatres. He was a frequent performer at Central Florida Civic Theatre and won their Best Actor award. He was known for his ability to completely immerse himself in a role and his impeccable comic timing. He continued acting into his 90s performing in play readings at Winter Park Towers where he lived after his co-star June died in 2009. He inspired everyone with his positive attitude toward life. He lost his 3rd child, Paul Matthews in a tragic car accident in 1999, yet continued with strength and therapeutic humor to help the family cope and thrive. He never lost his faith and was a member of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. His survivors shall honor him by living life to the full as he taught them. Survivors are his children Anne Curtis and her husband John (Maitland FL), Peter Matthews and wife Jacqueline (Great Falls, VA,) Mary Loy and husband David (Winter Park, FL) and daughter-in-law, Peggy Matthews (Princeton, N.J.) Bob’s grandchildren are Chris, Jay and Nick Curtis; Lucy, Winston and Victoria Matthews; Ryan, Maryanne and Margo Matthews; Stephanie & Stephen Loy. Robert was also “Papa” to seven great-grandchildren: Chloe, Acadia, Ari Elle, Grant, Charlotte, Emma and Eila. Bob died of heart failure on Easter Sunday evening March 27, 2016. Family members prayed, skyped and sang at his bedside including a rousing chorus of Monty Python’s “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” Bob Matthews always said his marriage was “made in heaven!” He is joyfully reunited with co-star, June, their son Paul and little angel Chloe. Please join us in giving Bob a standing ovation for 95 years of life, lived with strength, grace, humor, intelligence, faith and family love! Funeral Mass will be 11a.m. Saturday April 23rd @ St. Mary Magdalen Church, 861 Maitland Ave, Altamonte Springs, FL. 32701.

Robert Maxwell Matthews

May 4, 1920 - March 27, 2016