Lancia Motor Club

Mike Matthews died of Pancreatic cancer last weekend, an immense loss to the LMC and to his many friends.

He served in many roles for the club, including several terms on the committee. Big, stylish and always well dressed he was quiet and effective, he never had a bad word for anyone, and looked for positives wherever he could. He had a number of magnificent Lancias, among them an ex- Agnelli integrale and a lovely light blue Aurelia B20. He used them regularly, attending events like the Great Northern Weekend where he was a regular and often the Sliding Pillar Rallies.

His attitude to life naturally applied also to his family and I know he did much for his parents looking after them until they had to go into care, to the extent that it affected his plans for a large garage (he did much of his own work on his cars), compounded with a seismic shift in his job. It meant that he never quite got that run that he so deserved, years when he should have enjoyed his cars; perhaps that time should have been now - it has been cruelly cut short.

Ill for some time, he never let on, quietly sold his cars, arranged his affairs and passed away. This was a true gentleman of the old school, his contribution to the LMC will only be understood with hindsight.

Funeral to be held at Amersham Crematorium Friday 2nd December at 12.30.

Jack Romano

I really cannot believe this sad news.  I feel numb reading it. 

When I was posted to RAF Benson, I spent several months living at RAF Halton which is about 2 miles from Mikes house.  I spent quite a lot of time at Mikes and he was always welcoming whenever I arrived unannounced, usually on a Saturday evening when I was sat in a barrack block on my own.  It was through Mike that I became more active in the LMC, joining the committee after I mentioned to him my interest in doing more for the club. 

Mike was a true friend who will be sadly missed by us all.

What a huge shock this morning.

Those of us at the Essex xmas meal last night learned of the seriousness of Mike's illness but of course didn't realise he'd already died.

I only knew Mike for a few years and then not particularly well, but he was always very helpful with advice about my Fulvia. I remember him looking under the car, rolling around in the mud getting filthy just so he could make sure his advice was thorough; the mark of the man.

He will be very much missed and I regret I'll be away on 2nd so won't be able to say goodbye personally. Perhaps given the missed opportunities Jack referred to, and Mike's very generous nature, he would truly want life to go on, so we shall raise a glass to him in Rome on Friday.

Martin.

ps. I'm sure someone will provide full details but I understand it's not Aylesbury but Amersham Crematorium on Friday 2nd.

Very sad news, as has been said, a true gentleman.
nothing more to be said.

Farewell my friend.

I sat next to Mike at an Aurelia lunch a couple of years ago and also spent time with him at a couple of NEC shows. A great laugh, with a mixture of good stories and sound advice. Very sad news for his family and the LMC.

Mike was a real genuine and good natured bloke, always in good humour and I have many memories of us travelling together to committee meetings, always with fun even though the meetings could drag, it was better for him being there, always with positive contributions. Very much enjoyed drinks after too..
We also shared cars on events like the GNW and he was involved in the surprise of re-aquaiting Marcello Minerbi with his Volpini at Whitney.
I remember trips to Turin with him, where he never forgave me for introducing him to his special Martini 6 integrale which he bought and really enjoyed driving it down the col di Limone on the way home.
And AGMs and NEC stands where we were together on numerous occasions.
I had not seen him for much of the time in the last 5 years only at Silverstone in July, and before that the GNW at Guisborough.
He was also instumental in helping to organise the Covent Garden meetings.
I feel so helpless not knowing his condition and would have liked an opportunity to have helped, I can't help but feel angry and disappointed for him as in latter years his devotion to his Mother and work commitments stopped him living his normal life, and enjoying his cars. I think there may be a lesson there for all of us..
RIP Mike you can relax now.Glad to have known you, a true gent.
Paul Baker

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Mikes Death, I had heard that he was ill but it still doesn't help, Such a lovely man, helped me out with parts for my 2c when I was putting her back on the road, then gave me a couple of big boxes of hard to get hold of trim and mouldings, as well as 3 complete instrument clusters and much more, but wouldn't take anything for them, although a few bottles of wine for him made me feel better about it.
Great time with Mike at the NEC when his Martini was on the stand with my 2c, but none of us were able to help with our suggestions when after disconnecting the battery for the weekend, the immobiliser wouldn't play ball when reconnected, all was to no avail, and eventually it went home on the back of a breakdown wagon after we'd pushed it outside.
I shall miss him, as will many others.
Can someone please confirm when & where as I'd like to go if possible.

Brian
8227 8)

We met up with mike in 2006 for the turin trip, my father had previously gone in covoy with him on the lancia 90th, truly shocked by the news and he will be missed

That's very sad news inded. Mike was a great bloke and will be missed by all of us. I hope someone will let us know details of the funeral arrangements, as I'm sure lots of us would like to be there.

How very sad.

Mike was at the first Lancia Motor Club meeting I went to back in the early 80's and was really welcoming and friendly to a young newbie. I didn't know him well, but well enough to have shared a few drives and always to stop and have a chat and catch up at any event we were both at.

Polite and charming, he will most definately be missed and his contribution to the LMC remembered for a long time to come.

Andy

Incredibly sad news, a real shock, we had no idea at all that Mike was ill.

Mike was a real stalwart of the NEC shows, always willing to help and yes I remember that show Brian when Mike's Delta
was on the stand, he had stepped into the breach very much last minute with the loan of the car. He was very apologetic that
the car needed a good T-Cut / polish but as has been mentioned he had very little spare time due to family and work commitments.

Emma set to work on it over the weekend and he was very pleased and grateful to see it shining. I think everybody had an idea /
opinion on the immobiliser not playing ball but as usual Mike took everything in his stride and with good humour even when the car had to be relayed home.

Pretty well sums up everything about him. A real loss.

Steve, Margaret and Emma.

Yes, what sad and unexpected news. I didn’t know Mike that well, but I knew him well enough over many years to think he was a very special person and he will be missed. Somewhere I have a really good photo of his B20 – I’ll search it out and post it here.

I’ll try to be at the funeral on Friday 2 December, 12:30 at Amersham Crematorium.

Colin

Very sad news and a real surprise to me.

I remember when the Essex meet started in the early nineties how Mike would be a regular driving down from Cambridge (where he lived then) in his blue Aurelia. He also took the time to arrange a number of quizzes for our pub meetings

In my experience he was unfailingly kind, polite, enthusiastic and supportive. He relocated to the west of England for work so from that point I saw him less, but I still remember standing in the pub car park after the club meetings in summer evenings behind his Aurelia and feeling the pulses of exhaust gas from quite a distance away as Mike started it for his hour long journey home on a Wednesday night.

Actually, for that purpose summer was a very long season........

RIP Mike

I was totally shocked and numbed to hear of Mike’s death from pancreatic cancer today, as my Mother too succumbed to this terrible disease at 49. I only heard this morning that Mike had the condition and feared the worst but to be told an hour later that he had passed away was devastating.

I have very fond memories of Mike at Committee meetings, AGM’s and particularly at David Bieda’s house during the organisational meetings for the Lancia in the Piazza event at Covent Garden. Mike was a stickler and great organiser and made sure nothing was left to chance and I sometimes wonder if people ever knew that these events ran so smoothly due to Mike’s dedication and hard work? Modest to a fault his reward was always to see these great events that he had pulled together behind the scenes running smoothly and without a hitch. If you knew him you could see the pride on his face when it all came together.

I only live a few miles away from him and knew that he was devoted to his parents and was travelling between Buckinghamshire and Hampshire on a regular basis looking after them, so although I asked after him I didn’t like to intrude. If only I had known what the true situation was then maybe I could have helped, but that was Mike’s way; always helping others whilst not wanting to bother people with his own problems.

Jack put it perfectly, Mike really was a true Gentleman and natural organiser, so much so that I only found out what had happened after the event. True typical Mike style and I will be paying my respects to him next Friday.

Here's a scan extract from the photo I had in mind. Mike's B20 and mine at Syon Park in 1993 - taken by a professional who waited for the plane to be just in view.

Colin

Jacky and I were very sad to hear of Mike's passing yesterday. We were aware he was ill but the speed of his decline is a shock.
We didnt know him especially well but together and seperately Jacky and I spent quite a lot of time with him on the Turin trip and also the Covent Garden display as well as at the Aurelia luches.
We always found found him to be unfailingly good natured, polite and helpful as well as being exceedingly good company and a true Lancia enthusiast. We will miss him.
Chris and Jacky Gawne

And here’s a photo of Mike from April 2008 – seen peering into the camera wearing a blue and white check shirt. As ever, being helpful in setting up a photo of the Covent Garden team, of which he was a key player.

Colin

This is such sad news, Ann and I met Mike about 20 years ago, when Dave Baker lived near Wrexham. We all stayed overnight at Daves house in preparation for a trip next day to a Great Northen weekend. Mike had the Aurelia on car ramps to grease the gear linkage, he asked me to sit in the car and move the gearlever for him, I did what he asked, but trapped his finger in the linkage at the same time. He shot out from under the car, holding his bruised finger, called me a twat, had a swig of red wine and carried on. Thats the Mike we knew, and had great fun at various LMC events, where it was'nt unknown for Mike and I to be last to bed, after sampling the various single malts on offer at the bar. Summing up, a really nice guy, with a great wit, and dry sense of humour, he really will be missed by alot of people. RIP mate. Roger & Ann

Colin,
Hope to see you there along with many other Lancisti in their Lancia's, to provide a fitting tribute to Mike.


Brian
8227 8)

As long as I can get the night off work, I will be coming down from Cumbria in one of my Lancia's.

Hi stuart,
Be pleased to see you, hope you can make it, although it's a marathon of a journey for you.

Brian
8227 8)

I expect many Lancias will turn up. (Please stop using apostrophes where they shouldn't be!) Regards, John

Very sad news, worked with Mike on the Committee where he always got to the crux of any matter under discussion and he produced reports that were straight and to the point, he only left the Committee due to his work and familly commitments.  Have very happy memories of our stays at the Hollies whilst helping with the Club stand at the NEC, especially the evening meals.  A great loss.

Don

It was Mike who interviewed me for the job of Librarian.  Like all interviews, I was a little apprehensive but Mike was, as has already been said, a real gent and although very searching in his questioning, made the process in the end an enjoyable experience because of his lovely nature - a great loss to the Club, I will miss seeing his friendly face.

Having learnt only last week at the Berkshire meeting that Mike was seriously ill, to then hear of his death was such sad news.
As with others here, I didn't know Mike particularly well, just the usual chats at Club events. But he was very definitely one of the good guys.
Along with those of you going, I hope to pay my respects at Amersham Crematorium on Friday.
Arrivederci Mike.

Richard.

David Bieda has had problems posting the attached photo of Mike holding the Classic and Sportscar Trophy for the best club event which was awarded for Covent Garden in 2007.

Very sorry to hear about Mike: I only knew him slightly, but always found him to be friendly and enthusiastic. Our periods "at the helm" of the Club were separated by many years, but we all appreciate how much effort he put in.

I won't be able to make the funeral, having another prior commitment, but send my good wishes.

Tony Stephens

Only just caught up with this thread and I'm devastated to say the least. I had heard that he wasn't well but had no idea how seriously.

As has been said, 'a true gent' who's aim in life seemed to be to put others first. My abiding memory of him will be the convoy that he and Margaret and I were part of to Turin 2006. As some of you know it was a particularly difficult time for me, worn out as I was with Modestine only having just been completed and capped by the ensuing gearbox problems when we got there. Mike was a constant source of encouragement to me and appeared to take as much delight as I when the old girl made the final day's celebrations. During our time there he came across a copy of Le Grandi Automobili containing a lovely piece on the Erich Remarque (All Quiet on the Western Front) Dilambda. He bought it and without ceremony gave it to me refusing my attempts to pay for it.

We didn't meet often but when we did I always came away feeling much blessed. He will be sadly missed and if I can alter my plans for Friday I will be there to say farewell to a truly special Lancisti. RIP Mike.

Robin and Margaret

There was a very good presence of Lancia Motor Club friends at Mikes Funeral this afternoon and a fitting tribute to how well he was thought of, it was a very nice service, and well attended, if cold.
Mike must have been having a good laugh when at the finish of the ceremony out rang the strains of 'Always look on the bright side of life', certainly brought a smile to my face.
Here's the order of Service for those unable to attend.

Brian
8227 8)

It was a privilege to be at Mike’s funeral today, which was well attended and a fitting tribute to a man who was well liked by many. One of the floral tributes was in the form of his pale-blue blue Aurelia B20 – quite lovely – see photo below.

Colin

Mike Matthews - A Tribute

Thanks to Stuart Wilson for posting the Lancia Centenary pic which I failed to do twice (and my wording disappeared!).

The attendance at Mike’s funeral today and the distances travelled by some members of the LMC were the greatest possible tribute to Mike’s memory. A man who was held in affection by everyone who knew him and I’m not sure if he realised just how much affection whilst he was with us.

Mike played a key role in both the Covent Garden Piazza events – the Flavia 40th in 2003 and our Centenary in 2007. We had very many meetings in my house and Mike attended them all plus other times when he came round to hone his immensely helpful flow charts which kept us all on track. I remember one occasion when we started discussing which models to choose - Mike opened his lap top and hey presto they were all there.

It was a great honour and pleasure to chair both event committees and to work with a wonderful group of people all of whom contributed (as we all know not always the case with committees). I’m sure Colin Marr has not forgotten his days on double yellow lines and the arcane Fiat funding procedures. By the same token none of us will ever forget Mike’s contribution to two great events.

When he worked near me we met for drinks and some meals and the greatest tribute I can pay is to say that he was eternally positive, a great companion, never spoke a negative word, and was a great team player. It was a pleasure to have known and worked with Mike. A man who will remain our memories for many years.

David Bieda

I have just returned from an overseas break. I was devastated to find a message on my phone, from Bruce Beattie, informing me of Mikes death. Very sad. I first met Mike, about thirty years ago, when he joined the Hampshire meeting, which was then at Stoney Cross, in the New Forest. Mike was a very likeable and enthusiastic member, and he went on to become very important person in the organising of the Clubs events. I shared his Aurelia a couple of times on GNW drives. I think his last one was a couple of years ago, when he accompanied Stuart and me in my new Delta. Alas that was the last weekend I would see him. A tragic loss

Donald