It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our dear father and Gigi, Ed Matusiak. Although his life ended before we were ready, we cherish all the beautiful memories that we shared together.
Ed was married to Lesia (Lee) Semyroz, his high school sweetheart, in 1958. They were just shy of their 25th wedding anniversary when Lee’s life was cut short by a devastating cancer. Ed, and their three children, Nadine, Keira and Mark, were devastated by Lee’s passing and carried that grief for the rest of their lives. When Lee passed, in 1983, Ed became a single father. His traditional eastern European upbringing did not prepare him for this. Ed didn’t know how to cook, do laundry, or iron a shirt never mind raise and emotionally support 3 young children. But he rose to the task and was fiercely proud of each of his kids who remained close to him until the end.

Ed grew up in the west end of Toronto. His father, Walter Matusiak, was a Polish house painter and his mother, Anastasia (Nellie) Oneyskiw was a Ukrainian housewife who kept a beautiful garden. Both parents immigrated to Canada to escape very hard times in their home countries and had Ed and his brother Norman in Toronto. Ed attended high school at Central Tech and Humberside Collegiate. He then went on to study Civil Engineering at Queen’s University. For a boy with poor immigrant parents who couldn’t speak English or even sign their own names, he worked and studied hard and found a very successful career in land development and engineering consulting. After he married Lee, Ed designed and built a family home on a vacant lot in Mississauga with cows and horses in behind. One street over, his long-time best friend, Henry, did the same with his wife Helen. What wonderful parties, holidays and everyday friendship those two families enjoyed over their years in Mississauga.

In 1972, Ed and Lee bought a little cottage in Muskoka to get away from city life in the summer. This cottage was witness to weddings, teenaged parties, new babies, times of grief, reunions and so much more. For the Matusiak family and beyond, it was truly their happy place. This past summer, Ed was able to spend a full month up there with his kids and grandkids and fully savoured every day. This property will continue to be enjoyed by his family and will give them a place to be together. Ed’s spirit will surely rest there as well.
Ed leaves behind his 3 beloved children, Nadine (Rob Moulson), Keira (Paul O‘Donnell) and Mark (Lauren Ponikowski-Matusiak) along with his most cherished 6 grandchildren – Kailey, Katya, Sara, Brenna, Leigh and Isla. All will miss his quirky notes, his heartfelt cards, his attentive conversation, his little handmade carvings and most of all, his quiet presence.

A celebration of Ed’s life will be held at Turner and Porter Yorke Chapel - 2357 Bloor St. W. at Windermere, east of Jane subway station. Visitation will be on Sunday, October 23, 2022 from 2:00-5:00pm and a funeral service will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022 at 1:00pm.

As there is nothing that Ed loved more than a gathering of his treasured friends and family, a post funeral reception will be held at his favourite banquet hall, Baby Point Lounge at 343 Jane St. Toronto where we will serve traditional Ukrainian food and drinks.

For those who wish, donations would be most greatly appreciated to the nursing home of his beloved old friend, Henry Jerome. Copernicus Lodge took great care of Henry in the late days of his life and Ed knew the staff very well through his weekly visits. Copernicus Lodge- 66 Roncesvalles Ave. Toronto M6R 3A7