MATHEW ISKRA

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MATHEW ISKRA It is with deep sadness and sorrow, the family announces the passing of our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Mathew Iskra. Though he fought his illness courageously for several years, Mat succumbed on September 6, 2009. At the age of 88, and with his loving family by his side, the angels welcomed a new friend. Born on August 25, 1921 in Kamnik, Slovenia, Mat immigrated to Canada in 1948. He became a Canadian citizen and made his home in Winnipeg, where he planted his roots and raised his family. In 1951, Mat and his colleagues founded the Canadian Slovenian Cultural Society of Manitoba. As a founding father, Mat was committed to his heritage and remained an active member of the Society following his relocation to Vancouver in 2003. His influence and enduring support of the Society's goals continued to the present. Thank you to all the Members of the Society, for a life filled with the most wonderful and priceless memories. Mat also had a deep passion for sculpting, and became a meticulous craftsman of this art form. His preferred media were soapstone and alabaster. His legacy will live on through the many beautiful sculptures that will be forever cherished by his family and friends who were an important part of his life and art. Mat also expanded his creative interest to Austrian crystal and he has produced many beautiful pieces over the years, gifted to family and friends. Mat was predeceased by his brothers Avgusta Iskra and Stane Iskra, and is survived by his brother Marijan and sister Helen. To forever cherish his memory, Mat leaves behind his partner, Agnes Fessler, his five daughters, Elizabeth (Ron) Odgers, Sylvia Gilarski, Marianne (Frank), Jennifer (Terry) Patapoff, Joan (Victor) Burdz; nine grandchildren, Kim Gilarski, Karen (Ian) Thompson, Kevin (Nina) Odgers, Anne (Adam), Bradley, Megan and Nicole Patapoff, Brett and Rachel Burdz, and two great-grandchildren, Marissa and Andrew Thompson. The family extends their sincere gratitude to the caring and devoted staff of the Palliative Care unit at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, BC and the staff at Laurel Place Hospice in Surrey, BC for the compassion and loving care they provided through his last days. He will long be remembered by his family, friends and colleagues for his love of good company, animated conversation, sense of humour, and his Slovenian music. A Memorial Service, followed by interment, will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Friday, September 11, 2009 at Valley View Memorial Gardens, 14660 72nd Avenue, Surrey, BC. Memorial donations may be made in Mat's memory to the Heart and Lung Association.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 11, 2009