Obituary of Frank Matheson

MATHESON, Frank - 100, Aberdeen. It is with heavy hearts that we the family, announce the death of Frank Matheson at his home on May 23, 2025 in his 101st year. Frank was born on the family farm on July 9, 1924 in Aberdeen to Katie Flora (MacRitchie) and Dan Frank Matheson. Frank was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Frank met and married Anne, the love of his life on September 1, 1949. Frank had a life filled with a loving family, good friends, hard work. He had many different and varied jobs over his lifetime. Beginning at age 17 working for the telephone company for $5 a day. He worked at the steel plant in Sydney for two years making nails. He was drawn back to Aberdeen in the early 50's, bought a truck and began a 20 year career, hauling pulp, gravel, coal and a few loads of dynamite during the construction of the highway over Kelly's Mountain. In later years, he worked at Little Narrows Gypsum until his retirement in 1989. After which he and the love of his life, travelled across Canada by car visiting relatives all the way to BC. Over the years, he owned 55 vehicles and loved to buy and sell each and every one of them. Frank was a member of the Little Narrows Presbyterian Church and a long time supporter of the Progressive Conservative party.

Frank leaves behind his children, Allan (Phyllis) Matheson of Aberdeen, Karen (Malcolm) MacKinnon of Cole Harbour, Judy (Milford) Austen of Antigonish, Connie (Duart) MacAulay of Aberdeen and Denise (Jeff) Beaton of Mabou Harbour; and long time friend, like family Bruce (Dorothy MacLellan.

His 16 grandchildren, Allison Matheson, Shane (Carleen) Matheson, Jody (Josh) Arenburg, Isaac (Lindsay) Matheson, Wade (Breann) Matheson, Lana (Chandler) Halliburton, Kyla (Taylor) MacKinnon-MacGillivary, Devin (Zoe) Austen, Cory (Lindi) Austen, Bradley Austen (Jess), Breagh MacAulay (Alyson), Hilary MacAulay (Logan), Sawyer Beaton, Albin Beaton, Mason Beaton and Maeve Beaton; and his 24 great-grandchildren, Ainsley (Slaven), Laird (Anna) and Mairead (Matt) Nichols, Mya Matheson, David, Murray, Anne Margaret and Mabel Arenburg, Rory and Harvey Matheson, Lachlan and Lilah Matheson, Randy and Shay Halliburton, Zaya and Nya MacKinnon-MacGillivary, Layla, Manton, Cora and James Austen, Violetta and Sierra Austen, Piper and Ellie Austen. Sister-in-law, Verna MacMillan and many nieces and nephews.

Frankie was predeceased by his parents, his loving wife of 70 years Anne MacMillan of East Lake Ainslie (d.2019), his son, James Peter Matheson (d.2005), his siblings and their spouses, MayBelle Matheson, Christine (Norman) Cameron, Jonena (Douglas) MacLeod, Harriet (Andrew) Morrison, Jamie (Donald) Ross, Leonard Matheson, Mary (Wilfred) Asaph, his in-laws, Allan and Albin MacMillan and his brother-in-law, Peter MacMillan.

We would like to thank his medical care team Dr. Susie Egar, Dr. Ritter, Paulette, Dr. Claire Hamilton, the home care support nurses and our own special team of helpers, Donna, Jolie, Arlene, Carolyn, Ruth, Sharon and Michelle.

Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. on Sunday, May 25 in the Dennis Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Whycocomagh. Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, May 26 in Little Narrows Presbyterian Church with Margie MacIntyre LM officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Little Narrows Cemetery Fund or Palliative Care of your choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com