We Remember

MATTIODA, Edward Jim
October 30, 1931 — March 18, 2025
It is with great love that we announce the loss of Edward Jim Mattioda, who peacefully passed on to be with our Lord on March 18, 2025, at the age of 93.
Ed was born in Brown Creek, BC, to Giacomo “Jim” and Orsolina “Lina” (née Antoinetto) Mattioda, on October 30, 1931, where the family owned a farm. Ed was the third child, with siblings Alia, Irma, Raymond, and Margie. In 1946, the family moved to Kelowna, BC, again farming on Benvoulin Road, just north of Father Pandosy Mission. They were one of the founding Italian families in Kelowna. Ed also spent a lot of time growing up with his cousin Andy Mattioda, son of Peter and Giussepina Mattioda, who also moved to Kelowna in 1946. Ed and Andy were like brothers who would visit together with family gatherings throughout the years, right up to Andy’s passing.
At 23, Ed married Marj Heinrichs on December 4, 1954. Ed and Marj proceeded to have three children, Rick, Terry, and Niomi.
Ed worked for Barr and Anderson, a mechanical contracting company that later helped Ed create his own business, Ed-Mar Enterprise, doing plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and gas fitting. Marj was the secretary and looked after the books. Ed was a very honest and good, hardworking businessman. He also loved helping others and being involved in his community. He loved being a volunteer fireman for the Benvoulin Fire Department, previously located on K.L.O. Road. He also built 3 of the 4 domes on the roof of the now Ukrainian Orthodox Church, located at 1935 Barlee Road, Kelowna, BC.
He was a devoted Christian, involved with his church, Bethel Church on Curts Street in Kelowna. He also had a church in Hawaii called the Pacific Island Bible Church, in Mililani, Oahu, as they would travel every winter to Hawaii for many years. It was through this church, Ed decided to join some of the church members and pastor Mark Turansky (at the time) on a working/building missions trip to Kenya. Ed and Marj were treated royally every time they went to their Hawaiian church. Thank you, PIBC, for taking care of them every year. Ed and Marj loved to travel the world in their retirement age.
Ed and Marj had a very good, loving marriage. He took pride in the fact he cared and doted, on Marj right to the end of his life.
Ed is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marj; his sister Irma; his three children Rick and Karen (Ashworth), Terry, and Niomi; grand children : Nicole Mattioda (Josh Hill), Jamie Bowen (Mike Ault), Amber Bowen (Jamie Nilsson), Jamison Mattioda, and Dryden Chwyl; great-grandchildren Tanner Bowen, Zac and Max Hill, Sabina Ault, Chloe Nilsson (Zach Ashley), and Callie and Tristan Nilsson; along with great-great-grandchild Lily Ashley, born September 2024; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Ed’s Celebration of Life was held at the Thyme restaurant inside Holiday Park on Commonwealth Road, Kelowna, BC, on Sunday, April 6, 2025.
A large thank you to Lester (a former pastor of Bethel Church) and Marla Mesinbrink for a meaningful and musical service.
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This was in between 1957 and 1961