Mike Matthews

[chriswgawne]

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

[ColinMarr]

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

[rogerelias]

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

[fay66]

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

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


Brian
8227

[stuwilson128]

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

Brian
8227

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

[fay66]

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

Brian
8227

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

[JohnMillham]

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

Brian
8227

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

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

[donw]

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

[Chris Hopkins]

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.

[rikardo]

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.

[stuwilson128]

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.

[Tony Stephens]

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

[Dilambdaman]

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

[fay66]

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

[ColinMarr]

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