It is with great sadness that the family of Rudy Matuga announce his passing on November 18th, 2021 in Salmon Arm, BC.  In his 86 years, Rudy taught his loved ones and friends that a joke, chuckle, giggle, laugh, mischievous grin or broad smile really were the best medicine and could be used at any time to brighten any day.  In his last days, he was still smiling and making jokes with everyone around him.

Born on October 13, 1935, in Kamloops, BC, Rudy was a wonderfully fun and loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. He spent his early years in Vinsula, BC with his parents Michael and Aranka (Irene), and his siblings Olga, Mary, Anne and William.  In his early twenty’s he left home to work for a short time on the railway before spending the remainder of his working career in construction.  He was a member of Local 115 Operating Engineers for over 50 years, working first on Fraser River Highway projects before spending several years working on both the Mica Creek and Revelstoke Dams.  After completion of the Revelstoke dam project he went to work on the highways for Bell and finally VSA.  When Rudy retired in the fall of 2000, he spent his time looking after his garden, yard, and home and further developing his passion for woodworking.  He loved making toys, rocking chairs and doll houses for all his grandchildren and for five years Rudy’s handmade wooden logging trucks, skidders and loaders were given as awards to event winners at the annual Revelstoke Loggers Sports day.  After living in Revelstoke for many years Rudy and Mary Ann moved to Salmon Arm in the fall of 2013 so that they could retire permanently from shoveling snow!

Rudy is survived by his loving wife Mary Ann, children, Linda (Richmond Hill), Cindy (Chris)(Thousand Oaks, CA), Lee (Burnaby), stepchildren Michael (Chilliwack), John (Heidi)(Vernon), Julie (Salmon Arm), Danny (Carla)(Port Coquitlam).  As well as his thirteen grandchildren: Natasha (Ray), Saxon, Mica, Mckay (Morgan), Riley, Taylor (Cody), Lilly, Jonah, Jade (Lilly), Samantha (Aron), Shane, Amy, and great grandchildren William and Scarlett. Siblings, Olga Palmer, Mary Balmer, William (Lois) and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Michael and Aranka (Zarevucky), sister Annie Donchi, brothers-in-law John Donchi, Leonard Balmer and Bill Palmer, nephews Leonard and Fred Balmer and great niece Jamie Homes.

Services will be held at the Catholic Church of St. Joseph in Salmon Arm, BC on Monday, November 29th at 11:00am.