For Posterity's Sake         

A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project

 

They made the Ultimate Sacrifice

 

Matthew Kendall Pyke

 

Sub-Lieutenant, RCN

 

Born: 1986

 

Died: 29 Apr 2020 at sea

 

Book of Remembrance

 

PYKE, Matthew Kendall, SLt, RCN, killed - 29 Apr 2020, HMCS FREDERICTON - SLt Pyke died when the CH-148 Cyclone from HMCS FREDERICTON crashed into the Ionian Sea approx 80 km off the coast of Greece on 29 Apr 2020.

 

PYKE, Matthew Kendall - 34. It is with extreme sadness we announce the passing of a truly amazing man, SLt Matthew Kendall Pyke, who lost his life in a helicopter accident off the coast of Greece on April 29, 2020, while serving his country aboard HMCS Fredericton.

 

Matthew was the light force of so many. His contagious smile could light up any room, and you cannot forget that laugh!

 

Matthew is survived by his fiancée, Helen Hines, Grand Lake; mother, Kelly May Custance, Bible Hill; father, David Pyke, Valley, Colchester County; brother, Michael (Tamara Hennigar) Custance, Valley, Colchester County; maternal grandmother, Betty Mackenzie, Bible Hill; paternal grandfather, Donald Pyke, Valley, Colchester County; aunts and uncles, Sonja (Rodney) Hart, Randy (Marlene) Custance, Danny Custance, William Custance, Sherry (Steve) Heron, Darrell (Susan) Pyke, Randy (Angie) Pyke, Doug Pyke; special cousin, Corey Toole and many others; best friends, Mason Power and Ruth Power.

 

Predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Fred Custance; paternal grandmother, Norma Pyke; aunt, Diane Pyke; other grandfather, Terry Mackenzie.

 

Matthew was a volunteer fire fighter for 15 years at Rawdon District Volunteer Fire Department and Gore District Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed lots of time on his four wheeler also loved to hunt and fish.

 

He lived his dream of joining the Royal Canadian Navy late in life where he was a proud naval warfare officer, bridge watch keeper, bull sub and assistant navigator. His sights were set on going to Navigator training in January 2021.

 

A full military service will be held at a later date once HMCS Fredericton is home and Covid restrictions allow. Donations in Matthews memory can be made to Rawdon District Volunteer Fire Department or Gore District Volunteer Fire Department. 

 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall - Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro.


"Fair winds and following seas, we have the watch."

 

Ships served in:

HMCS FREDERICTON

 

(1) MCpl Matthew Cousins, RCAF  (2) SLt Matthew Pyke, RCN  (3) Capt Maxime Miron-Morin, RCAF

(4) Capt Kevin Hagen, RCAF   (5) Capt Brendan MacDonald, RCAF   (6) SLt Abbigail Cowbrough

 

Six Canadian flags fly on the yardarms of HMCS FREDERICTON during a memorial service onboard ship for their lost shipmates

Photographer: Cpl Simon Arcand

C.A.F. photo / Crown copyright

 

 


 

In Service of Canada - RCN Peacetime Casualty Index

 

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