MATTHEWS, Earl Stephen - 63, Whycocomagh, Inverness Co., passed away Friday, August 11, 2006, in Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Born in North Sydney, he was a son of the late Russell and Maude (Rouse) Matthews. Earl was an adherent of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Whycocomagh. A welder by trade, he was a member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Lodge No. 73 and The Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union, Local 682. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. He was an active member of the Nova Scotia Houndsman Association and the West Pictou Cat and Coonhound Club. In his community he was a member and past Master of Sircom Lodge No. 66 A.F. & A.M. and a charter member of the Whycocomagh and Area Lions Club. Earl was a very proud recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship presented to him in 1990 by the Lions Club. A devoted family man, he is survived by his wife of 43 years, Nita (Austen); daughter, Holly (Steve) Coffin, Halifax; son, Fred, Whycocomagh; granddaughter, Tracy, at home; sisters, Geraldine MacFadyen and Flo Ellis, both of Big Marsh; Tena (Albert) Waters, Blues Mills; brothers, Billy (Mae), River Denys; John (Sadie), Blues Mills; Gerald (Eileen) and Calvin (Glenda) Matthews, both of Big Marsh; brother-in-law, Brent (Beckie) Austen, Whycocomagh; aunts, Flo Hare, Marjorie Condie, Gerry Mawdsley, Louise Hanson, Margaret Costa; several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Earl will be missed greatly by his family and friends, including his hunting dogs, Ruby, Duke, Rocky and Kelly. Visitation will be today from 2-9 p.m. in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Whycocomagh, with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Whycocomagh, Rev. Louis Ihasz officiating, assisted by Rev. Glenn Sidney MacDonald and Rev. Donna Tourneur. Burial will be in the Stewartdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Earl may be made to Victoria County Memorial Hospital or a charity of choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com