Roberto Aya Matalabos

With heavy hearts, we announce that Roberto Aya “Ruben” Matalabos passed away peacefully Thursday morning, February 19, 2026, with the love of his family surrounding him after a long battle of his disease. His doctor said, "he was a fighter". He was 87.

Born in Sucat, Muntinlupa Philippines. An interscholastic baseball player, gaining entrance to University of the Philippines and Manila Central University. He was able to play at different cities in the Philippines and was popular and loved by his town mates.

In his twenties, he worked as an honest and dedicated policeman. He also worked as a seaman and was able to see different parts of the world. When he was 36, he decided to work on a German ship and met his wife and married in Bona, West Germany in 1975 and was blessed with three children. They celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary last November 4, 2025.

He decided to come to Vancouver with his children to join his wife, Claire on March 31, 1999. He worked in one company with dedication and had a good relationship with colleagues, awarded as the "Best employee of the Month and the Year" in different years subsequently with a trip to New York with flights, accommodations, tickets to watch a baseball game as his employer knew he loved baseball.

He will be missed by his wife, children and grandchildren, as well as numerous extended family members and friends.

Viewings will be held on March 18th at Kearney's Columbia-Bowell Chapel, 219 6th Street, New Westminster, BC

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on March 19th at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, 7455 – 10th Avenue Burnaby, BC

Interment will follow in July 2026 at Manila Memorial Sucat, Philippines