Matt Martinelli

1927 - 2018

Mato "Matt" Martinelli passed away in the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at the Taber Health Centre with family at his side. He faced a short and stoic battle with cancer nearly two months after his 91st birthday.

Relatives and friends were invited to Prayers at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, October 5, 2018 at 5:00 P.M.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.

Matt was born July 30, 1927 in Donja Obrijez, a small village in Croatia. He grew up the third of five siblings, having two brothers and two sisters. He was conscripted at a young age into the communist led Partisan military of Yugoslavia. Matt was eventually able to escape the authoritarian rule of his homeland and by 1957 had made his way to Canada settling in Taber. He convinced his future wife Maria, from the same Croatian province, to come to the new country which she did in 1962 and they had three children Myles, Emil and Lydia (1967-2013). His greatest joy late in life was his now six year old grandson Jacob Daniel. Matt had various occupations over the years but to town residents he was most familiar, and sought after, with his own painting business. He always enjoyed fishing and good times with fellow countrymen, friends and family. Matt was a devout Catholic and during his retired years volunteered as a member of the Knights of Columbus.

If friends so desire, a memorial tribute in Matt's name may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N2 www.albertacancer.ca.