MATTHEWS, JOHN FREDERICK (FRED) - Husband of Ramona (Mona) Matthews, of Russell Street, Miramichi, passed away peacefully at the Miramichi Regional Hospital, on Sunday evening, December 7, 2008, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 84. Born in Lincoln, Maine, USA, he was the son of the late Wilfred and Lilla (Gordon) Matthews. He was an auto mechanic by trade and a former employee of McCarthy Sales Ltd., in Chatham. He was a member of St. Andrews United Church, Miramichi; a Veteran of the Second World War, serving overseas with the Canadian Army; a long serving and dedicated member of Branch # 3, Royal Canadian Legion, Miramichi, where he held many offices including District Commissioner, President, Past President and Service Officer. He is survived by his wife, the former Mona Murphy; eight daughters, Wendy Loggie (Stephen), Bonnie Lenton (Ted), Karen McCarthy, Tammy Morris (Ted), all of Miramichi, Bev Reynolds (Lorne), of Napan, Nancy Jardine (Stephen), of Fredericton, Arlene Matthews, of Moncton, Kim Gill (Thomas), of Barnaby; two sons, Daryl Matthews, of Miramichi and Jeff Matthews (Cindy), of Quispamsis; two sisters, Helen LeBlanc (Bernie), of Moncton and Linda Clarke (Bill), of Ottawa, Ont.; one brother, Gerald Matthews, of Fredericton; twenty-one grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren. He was predeceased by three sisters, Marjorie Clarke, Dorothy Horsman and Marion Johnson; four brothers, Lee, Ralph, Glen and Layton Matthews; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at Adams Funeral Home Ltd., 140 King St., Miramichi, on Tuesday, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm and Wednesday, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. Please note, members of Branch # 3, Royal Canadian Legion, are asked to assemble at the funeral home on Wednesday evening, at 7:30pm, for a Veterans' Service. The funeral service will be held from St. Andrews United Church, on Thursday, December 11, 2008, at 11 am, conducted by Rev. Charlene Maguire - MacKnight. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the NB Lung Assoc. or the Burn Unit of the Saint John Regional Hospital, would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Adams Funeral Home Ltd., 140 King St., Miramcihi, telephone 773-3492 or messages of condolence may be sent online to www.adamsfh.ca