Harvey James Matsell
June 20,1944-December 23,2020
It is with great sadness that we share the news of Harvey’s passing on December 23,2020 following a courageous battle with cancer and dementia. His loving and long term partner Cathy Gordon was by his side. In addition to Cathy, Harvey is survived by his son’s Nick (Gwen) and Tim (Katherine McCarthy) , four grandchildren (Nolan, Evan, Maeve, and Clark), his brother Geoff (Sandra) Matsell , along with stepchildren Lesley and Andrew Geisler and extended family and friends in Canada and Wales.
Harvey had a warm smile, a playful sense of humour and a way of bringing smile to peoples faces.
He will also be greatly missed by his friends at Fedex, Eastern Airlines, and all the gang at Scruffy Murphy’s.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada or The Cancer Society.
Heather McKenzie
Good bye Harvey, what a delight it was knowing you and Cathy, you were always so calm, funny and a good listener, I will truly miss you hugs and kisses Heather
David and Pat Lewis
With deep sadness we say goodby to a friend and fellow Taff who was great company, and a lovely person, who was always happy to see us and have a laugh. We will miss talking about life in the Rhondda and sharing good times with Harvey and Cathy in Toronto, small towns in Ontario, Wales and Barbados.
Rest In Peace our friend
Gorffwys mewn heddwch
sally potentier
Harvey was a wonderful friend and partner to Cathy. He will be remembered as a good humoured, witty and helpful friend to many of us. His enjoyment of travel, cooking, a good get together with friends and family both in Canada and Wales top of the list of things he loved to do. He will be greatly missed by me and I’m sure all that knew him. I feel privileged to have called him a friend. My heartfelt condolences for all his loved ones. Love and good wishes to Cathy, Nick and family, Tim, Jeff, Leslie and Andy.
Sally
Lorna wilson
Beautiful tribute Cathy and family
He will be missed
Liz evans
Very sad news R I p Harvey
We lived in penydarren merthyr Tydfil and I have known the family all my life
I recently found out that geoffs son is a neighbour of mine
Paths cross Sometimes making it a small world 💕
My condolences to all the family especially to nick and Tim
Thinking of you all
Toby Potenciano
Words can never truly express the sadness we all feel with Harvey’s passing. Harvey was more than just a colleague, he was a true friend and a kindred spirit. He was a like a brother to me, and with countless others. In his own special way, he managed to touch the lives of so many people with his laugh, his smile, and the way he lives his life.
They say the measure of a man is by the way he treats others around him. By that measure, Harvey is immeasurable. His kindness and humility made him a one-of-a-kind person.
May he find peace and rest, and that may we always remember him for the person that he was to all of us. That will be his legacy to the world.
Brenda James
Sincere condolences. Harvey was a wonderful person& friend. He will be missed by so many friends & family.
Bless his spirit..you will be forever close to our hearts
Brenda&Toni
David Honigsberg
I’ve known Harvey since 1971 when we started working together at General Aviation and then Eastern Airlines, and also as a great neighbour when he and Cathy moved into our small condo, directly across the hall from me.
Harvey was a good friend to me and my son Matthew, and is a profound loss to all that knew him. He will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to his long and loving wonderful, supportive partner Cathy and sons Nick and Tim and grandchildren, his brother Geoff in Wales, and his stepchildren Lesley and Andrew.
Harvo…. B.OA.C. just touched down. See you on Gate 31…and don’t forget the chocks this time!!
Lindsay & Andrew
We are so saddened to hear of Harvey’s passing. He was such a kind and light-hearted fellow; his presence made every gathering better. We will greatly miss his company at holiday events. Our thoughts are with Cathy, Harvey’s sons, Lesley & Andy, and all of his extended family and friends.
Susan
To dear Cathy and family. When I think of Harvey I think of his wonderful welcoming smile and kind demeanor. Sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed by so many.
Fondest regards, Susan Winter
Jim Baxter
I will truly miss my good mate Harvey. We were friends, neighbours and he was a person I always had great banter with. I rarely left his company without a smile on my face. Bye Pal.
Angela Inglis
You will be sadly missed by so many Harvey and especially by Cathy and your sons and grandchildren. R.I.P. my friend it was a pleasure knowing you and you will always be in my thoughts
Angela Inglis
Ed Hall
I was privileged and proud to call Harvey my best friend for so many years. We shared the same tastes in music, and of course beer. So many wonderful times spent with Harvey and Cathy and the rest of the gang at the old Scruffy Murphy’s. My condolences to Cathy and to all Harvey’s family. Goodbye mate, I will miss your company.
Jim
Well said!
Kavitha Vincent
To dear Cathy and Family, we are saddened to hear the news of Harvey. His smile and warm voice and always asking how we were will truly be missed. He was a wonderful person and together you both were wonderful people and it was a privilege to work with you both.
Mike and Kavitha Vincent.
kamal syriani
my deepest sympathies and condolences to Cathy and all the Matsell family Harvey was a good man and well liked by all he will be missed.
Pat Marshall
Harvey was such a kind and gentle man who adored Cathy which was always so evident whenever you saw them together. I loved the twinkle in his eyes and his lovely big smile. My deepest condolences to Cathy and all his family and friends. He will be missed.
Sue Matsell
After 43 years of friendship which included 15 years of marriage I will miss you beyond words. My sincere condolences to Cathy and the Matsell family. Goodnight my Love
Jean-Jack Issa
My Condolences Cathy and Family <3
Laya
With great sadness Good bye Harvey , what a great pleasure it was to knowing you and Cathy . I always loved watching you both as a lovely partner and I could feel the radiance of love to each other . I can’t imagine how hard it will be to Cathy losing Harvey . With his calm and kind personality with great smile and big heart .
We all will truly and deeply miss you .
Ray Blake
My condolences to Cathy and family, I met Harvey at Scruffy Murphy’s on two visits to Toronto then back in Wales where we sank a few, a privilege to have known you mate.
Angela Mallon
I did not know Harvey well, but as so many others have said, I remember the wonderful smile that he always greeted me with, and the smile he always left on my face after a good chat with him and Cathy. I know he will be missed by many, many people. My condolences to Cathy and the Matsell family. R.I.P. Harvey
Geoff Matsell
As kids we lived together We fought We laughed We Cried
We did not always show the Love that we both had inside
We grew to find we had a love that would never fade away
You were my brother not by choice but by the nature of our birth.
I could not have chosen a better one, YOU WERE THE BEST ON EARTH.
Andrew Geisler
We will all miss you very much Harvey. My condolenses to his loving family.
You always had such a great sence of humor, a great cook, and a wonderful partner to my mom Cathy.
martin davey
Harvey will be missed by the Davey family. I’ve known Harvey most of my life and I will always remember his great humour, gentle demeanour and his love of music. I remember when Tim, Nick, Graham and I would all spend weekends with Harvey and my mom and there was a lot of lively evenings spent around the record player. Orchestra Manoeuvre in the Dark comes to mind. I ran into Cathy and Harvey a few years back, randomly in a pub (shocking:) in Elora and he was the same man he always was to me. Kind, funny and just a great dude all around. I have already raised a glass in his honour and will do so again at the celebration of his Life. Cheers Harvey.
Cathy Gordon
Thanks so much for your kind words Martin.you certainly knew Harvey well.