Matthew Carbery

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Matthew John Carbery

August 9, 1934 - July 3, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Matthew John Carbery on July 3, 2023 in his 89th year. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Matthew John Carbery was born in Portlaoighise, Ireland on August 9th, 1934. In his younger days, he loved deep-sea spearfishing, he had a passion for all types of horse racing and he loved photography. He moved to Trinidad and Tobago in 1957 where he lived and worked for 40 years. Some of his jobs were overseeing work on a sugar plantation towards the late 50s. Followed by a long career with Berger Paints Ltd where he was a corrosion expert in the marine department. During the various Horseracing meets on Saturdays he was an on-track race steward along the rails. Sundays often found him in the various paddocks taking registration photographs for the Trinidad Racing Authority for the horse owners.

During his time in Trinidad, he married and divorced twice; with his first wife Lima, they had two children, Lisa and Stephen whom they loved dearly.

Matthew moved to Canada in 1996, retired, and lived a happy life full of horseracing, reading books, and enjoying the company of friends and family.

Matthew was a small man with a big heart, he loved to tell jokes. He always brought a smile to all he met. He had a knack for how to ‘break the ice.”  Affectionately called “Carbry” and “Pops” by most. Never walking empty handed he often walked with a cut flower or a candy or chocolate when he greeted you. A connoisseur of fine spirits he shared many a gathering with friends.

He loved his family greatly and will be forever cherished by all those who knew him. Matthew joins his mother Mary, father James, and sister Mary in heaven. He will be fondly remembered by his ex-spouses, Lima and Anita, his beloved children, Lisa and Stephen, and his siblings, Joe, Leonard, and Jimmy. He lives on in the hearts of his grandchildren; Michelle, Nicole, Christopher R, Matthew, Christopher G, Phillip, Gregory, Michael, Rachel, and Emily. As well as his great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

“Remember that the positive defeats the negative, courage defeats fear, patience defeats sorrow, love defeats hate”

- Matthew John Carbery.