Obituary
A viewing and celebration of life will be held to honor Matthew Joseph Williamson who passed away peacefully in his sleep in his 65th year on the evening of Friday August 1st, 2025. Matt was the deeply treasured father of Brett (Meredith), Ryan and Sean (Kristin) and co-parent with their mom Debbie. He was the beloved son of Bernadette (Williamson) Doucette, nee Gies, and the best brother ever to Anne Marie Williamson (David Jones). He is also cherished and remembered by step-children Justin (Emily), Kurt (Michelle), Shawn (Lindsey) and Brittany (Scottie), nieces Lauren and Cassandra (great niece Alex Anne), step nephews Sam, Dusty and Beau; his Aunt Mary Kay and Norm Patt; cousins Ed & Wendy, Lynda, Margaret, Rose and John and all of their families. Matt also leaves behind many other dear relatives of our Williamson family in Canada and Ireland, where he had countless fond memories. Matt was one of those fathers that was heavily involved with his boys’ lives and activities - he coached all three in hockey and spent most of their youth driving from one rink to another. As they all grew up this changed to backyard BBQs and in the fall of 2022 a 13-day cross Atlantic cruise from Rome to Florida. Matt’s immense work ethic and early bird tendencies began young, with a job at the St. Lawrence market when he was just 14 years old. He’d rise in the middle of the night to catch the bus from Scarborough to start work by 6AM. He would work all day Saturday and come home with fresh vegetables and meat after being on his feet all day. Though he would not be called an academic, he found success through grit, determination and some humorous charm. He joined the Police Academy at 18 and proudly served as a Toronto Police Officer for 25 years - mostly at 51 division in downtown Toronto as a detective. After retiring from the force, Matt continued serving his community through his work for the Ministry of Environment in Strategic Intelligence where he retired in 2019 and was toasted and lovingly roasted by his colleagues. Since 2020, he lived in the Beaches taking care of his mother Bernie and stepfather/debate partner Frank; who predeceased him in May 2025. He always did what he could to help anyone in need, never took himself too seriously and would be deeply happy knowing that even in passing, he is bringing people together. There will be a viewing on Friday, August 8th between 3PM - 7PM at Cardinal Funeral Home, 366 Bathurst St (north of Dundas), Toronto, Ontario and a Celebration of Life on Saturday August 9th from 1PM - 5PM, at Deco Gallery, 291 Coxwell Avenue. Colorful attire is highly encouraged. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Heart Society or the Canadian Diabetes Association in Matt’s name would be greatly appreciated. Matt’s legacy is one of service, generosity, and love. He will be deeply missed by all who had the honor of knowing him.Visitation
Date
August 08, 2025
August 08, 2025
Location
Cardinal Funeral Home Bathurst Chapel
Cardinal Funeral Home Bathurst Chapel
Time
03:00 PM - 07:00 PM
03:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Memo
If the funeral home parking lot is full our staff will provide directions to park in a lot nearby. Shuttle service is provided for pick up and return to Funeral Home, or to return you car when leaving. Please note parking is not available on Bathurst Street between 4 and 6 p.m.
Service
Date
August 09, 2025
August 09, 2025
Location
Deco Gallery, 291 Coxwell Avenue.
Deco Gallery, 291 Coxwell Avenue.
Time
01:00 PM
01:00 PM
Memo
1:00pm to 5:00pm Colorful attire is highly encouraged. Parking is available in the No Frills parking lot next to the gallery.
Cremation
Date
Location
Time
12:00 PM
12:00 PM
Memo
A private cremation will take place.
August 12, 2025
My deepest condolences. Mat was a great guy. He will be missed god bless
August 09, 2025
Dear Mrs Doucette, Anne Marie and to all his children family and friends. My deepest condolences to you on the passing of our great friend, classmate and fellow Sacred Hearts Children's Camp kitchen staff from the mid 1970's. What more can be said that hasn't been already in the glowing tributes I've read here about the man I've known since high school. A bigger than life personality, an infectious laugh and a genuine zest for life would be his trademarks. His laugh alone, is something I will never forget and will miss as we remember the man that is gone too soon. Rest in Peace Mathew, may God bless you and all those you have left behind, and please say Hi to Frank for me when you see him up there.
August 08, 2025
I was deeply shocked and heartbroken to learn of Matt’s passing this past weekend. It’s hard to put into words how much I appreciated and enjoyed interacting with him. Matt was such a kind and genuine person, always bringing warmth and positivity to those around him. Even in moments of frustration, he had a way of smiling through it, which was a testament to his incredible spirit.
Matt’s kindness, humor, and unwavering optimism made him a joy to work with and a cherished colleague. He had a way of making everyone feel valued and appreciated, and his presence brightened every room he entered. He will be truly missed.
I will never forget him. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Matt—you will be remembered forever.
August 08, 2025
I am still numbed after hearing about the passing of Matt. He worked with me at the Ministry as an investigator and then a Supervisor with the SEIU and I’ve known him for many years. As I traveled through life meeting people between work and home everyone leaves some sort of impression with me. Matt did not leave an impression, he leaves an impact of a man who is loyal, tenacious, love for family and life as well as justice. To say he was larger than life is an understatement. I know that he will be missed by many people, and I am still grappling that he will not be around. Miss you old friend!
August 07, 2025
I was in total shock when I was informed of Matts passing. I spoke with him last week and he was in good spirits. He was a true friend and mentor. We have worked and played together since 2004 when he was asked to help with the formation of the Intelligence Unit for MOE. His way of handling people made him very easy to work with and he was a true leader. I am sure that Matt will be missed by all who knew him and I will especially miss our weekly lunches together. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. RIP Old Friend.
August 07, 2025
I was shocked and saddened to hear the news of Matt's passing. Matt and I worked together in the Ministry of the Environment's Investigations and Enforcement Branch from 2003 to 2009, and then again from 2015 to 2019. Matt was very supportive of new approaches to enhance and improve the delivery of our branch's investigation and enforcement mandate. He worked with me to develop a new major case management delivery model for the branch, and then as we enhanced our intelligence and specialized investigation services he played a critical role. As a supervisor and then manager for me, I could count on Matt to go that extra mile. He was a dedicated leader who cared deeply about the staff who worked for him and would act as a champion and advocate on their behalf. He had a very engaging personality and laugh - and we worked very well together. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and former colleagues. RIP Matt
August 06, 2025
How wonderful is it that we all remembered Matt for the same thing …..that laugh. That’s a wonderful legacy to leave behind. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. I’ll miss him in our meetings
August 06, 2025
Many condolences to Matt’s family and friends. RIP Matt
August 06, 2025
Dearest Bernie and Family,
As part of the Doucette clan,I just wanted to say how lucky all of you were to have had Matt in your life.
RIP Matt
August 05, 2025
I was truly shocked and deeply saddened to hear about Matt passing. It feels surreal to imagine a world without him - his larger than life personality, his infectious laugh, and the energy he brought into every room are simply unforgettable.
Matt wasn't just a remarkable leader; he was a loyal friend, a genuine supporter, and someone who cared deeply about the people around him. His unwavering dedication to family, friends, and colleagues left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
It's incredibly hard for me to accept that I will no longer have the chance to sit down with him for a meal, share a few drinks, and lose myself in the kind of laughter that only he could inspire.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Matt's memory will continue to live on in the stories we all tell about how he touched our lives. He was taken far too soon and he will be deeply missed.
August 05, 2025
Many condolences to Matt’s family and friends.
I first met Matt when he and Debbie were first dating. I worked with Deb at the Scarborough YMCA. I eventually became a Cadet with Toronto Police and worked with Matt at the Summons Bureau and a few years later at 51 Division.
He was a friendly guy who was always smiling and had a great laugh. I lost contact with Matt and Deb after he left Toronto Police, but I’ve often thought about him over the years.
Gone too soon and way too young!
August 05, 2025
Rest in peace Matt. I worked with Matt many moons ago in the Toronto Police Juvenile Task Force. He and Harry were close partners. There are many stories about those two. It was a pleasure to work with Matt. He was as described by everyone else. You got what you saw. A great guy. A hard worker and a dedicated officer. We had many laughs together. I am saddened by his passing being so young . All my best to the family.
August 05, 2025
I was lucky enough to work in the same office for years with Matt and work for him for a short time. He had an infectious laugh and a gregarious nature, if you were lucky enough to work for him, he really took care of his team. RIP Matt you will not be forgotten.
August 05, 2025
Matt was an encouraging, supportive and friendly coworker and manager. I was lucky to report to him for a short while and often ran into him in the Beaches. There are few people with Matt's leadership qualities and friendliness. My deepest condolences to his family on his sudden passing. You will be greatly missed Matt.
August 05, 2025
Sending my deepest condolences. I cannot believe this news today. So sad, I have so many fond memories of chatting hockey and Lacrosse (pretty much any youth sport) with Matt. I am very sorry for your loss
August 05, 2025
My deepest condolences to your family. Matt was full of life and always a great conversation. He was always will to share his perspective and to assist in anyway he could. He will be missed!
August 05, 2025
I’m heartbroken over the loss of Matt, who was so much more than a coworker—he was a true friend who made every moment brighter. His infectious laugh could light up any room, and his gift for lifting everyone’s spirits was unmatched. We shared countless memories outside work, from deep talks to introducing him to my fiancé, and his wisdom guided me in ways I’ll never find elsewhere. At work, he always had my back, offering kindness and support that meant everything. I’ll miss Matt dearly and cherish our friendship forever. His light will live on in all who knew him.
With love,
Rahim
August 05, 2025
The initial shock of the news to me this morning of Matt’s passing is easing. I would like to post a second message. Matt will always be remembered by me as someone who when life gave him lemons he made lemonade and his ability to adapt. No one has ever made me laugh as hard has he did with his stories. When my mom had a particularly bad day during cancer treatment in 2022 I told her one of Matt’s stories and it made her laugh. He will forever be known to her as Mr. Penguin from his Penguin walk story. When I had health issues Matt always was there for me ensuring I had the time off or rides to appointments. Matt never missed anyone’s retirement party if possible. Matt enjoyed every holiday by dressing up St Patrick’s day Christmas Halloween Leafs day Blue Jays etc. he loved his boys I will forever remember his personalized plate “RINK Dad” . He was proud of all his kids, blood and by marriage. The other memory is that Matt knew everyone. No matter where I went with Matt be it work, restaurant or Leaf game someone would randomly come to greet Matt after recognizing him. I recall going to my bank to renew a mortgage and the person I was dealing with was talking about identity theft and I told her about one of Matt’s stories of arresting the other Matt who had stolen Matt s identity via a credit card. She immediately said she knew Matt from kids hockey. Matt knew how to enjoy life and I am glad he was travelling in his retired days. Rest in peace “RINK DAD”
August 05, 2025
My sincere condolences to all of Matt’s beloved family and friends. Matt was colleague and a friend at MECP where he was a true leader. Matt always looked out for the people who worked for him and he was respected. When meeting up in Toronto for meetings, Matt would always hit me up for a Quebec Costco beer run and we would meet up in some hotel parking lot to unload a truck full of Stella. Find memories. RIP,Sir. 10-7
August 05, 2025
Words cannot convey how deeply sorry I am for this unexpected and profound loss.
What a bright light Matt was. To have had the privilege of working for someone for 14 years and still be able to call him a friend speaks volumes about the person he was. He was the happiest person I had ever known.
There was no problem Matt couldn’t outsmart or laugh away, and he did it with a smile so big and a laugh so loud it turned heads for miles.
He squeezed every drop out of life, cherishing his mom, sister, his boys, step-kids, and every member of his extended family with a loyalty and generosity that were as unshakeable as his optimism.
He never missed your birthday, never hesitated to help, and even in my darkest moment, driving me home after my father passed, Matt found the right words to soften the blow and make me smile through the tears. That was his superpower: he’d make you roll your eyes with his boisterous antics, then laugh right along with him a second later. It’s the kind of presence that leaves a hole in a room when it’s gone.
There will never be another Matt, and the absence of that contagious joy will be felt deeply. But the way he lived, boldly, loudly, and with a heart as big as his laugh, leaves us with a roadmap for our own lives.
We’ll carry his stories forward, tell his jokes at inappropriate times, and remember him fondly every time we roll our eyes and laugh despite ourselves. He is irreplaceable, and he will be incredibly missed.
August 05, 2025
Sincere Condolences to Bernie, Anne, Brett, Ryan and Sean and extended family. We will remember our cousin Matt for his love of life, family and his fantastic sense of humour. He will be greatly missed by his family in Rostrevor, Ireland but we know his loss is most deeply felt by those of you closest to him. Thinking of you all at this heartbreaking time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
August 05, 2025
I am so very sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of working with and for Matt on and off from 2000 to 2019 at the Ministry of the Environment. He was a great guy with a wonderful sense of humour . He was well respected by his staff and his love of hockey was legendary. I will miss him! He was a good friend to me I always.
August 04, 2025
We were so very sorry to hear about Matt. Right now, I know there's nothing we can say to ease your hearts or lighten your grief. I can tell you that in time, it will get easier. We'll keep you and Matt in our thoughts.
