MATHIAS THOMAS HARTY, of Lethbridge, AB, beloved husband of Dorothy Pauline Harty, passed away at sunrise, with his family by his side, on Sunday, May 28, 2023 at the age of 90 years.
Mathias "Math" Thomas Harty, born March 11, 1933, in Groton, AB was the fourth eldest child of Mary and Frank J. Harty.
Math is survived by his wife, Dorothy; son, Dallas; daughter, Melissa (Ron Pasolli); granddaughters, Gabriella and Marla; Math's namesake, Mathew Barrett; and two very special little boys, Dexter and Jaxon Foat-Barrett. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Kanig; brother, Lawrence Harty; and sister-in-law, Joyce Harty.
Mathias was predeceased by sister, Rose Foss; brothers, Ben Harty and Frank Harty; brothers-in-law Tony Kanig, Lawrence Kanig, and Earl Foss; sisters-in-law Margaret Harty, Ruth Ann Harty, Kay Black, Mary Budinski, Fran Barrett, and Martha King.
Math was raised with his five other siblings on a farm in the Hoping Area. Dorothy and Math knew each other throughout their childhood years and school days and then went on to become highschool sweethearts. They wed in 1957 and bunked in with Mom and Dad Harty. In the early 60's, they moved to the yard across the road from the original Harty Homestead where they hosted countless nieces, nephews, and children of family friends over the years. Not long after, their son, Dallas James was born in the summer of 1966. To make their family complete, a daughter, Melissa Marie was born in June of 1968.
Math was involved in many community organizations and could always be counted on to help any neighbour, group, or cause in every situation. Math was a man known for his huge and generous heart. Not only was Math an avid and successful grain farmer, but he also became a prosperous rancher raising cattle, horses, pigs, chickens, and roosters. Math and Dorothy enjoyed so many trips and getaways with family and friends. Math loved to travel around anywhere he could learn something new. One of his favourite pastimes was skiing with family and friends, whether it was on the slopes or behind a boat.
Upon retiring to Lethbridge in the late 90's, he discovered a love for spending time on the track working at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club, eventually owning multiple racehorses. Math spent countless hours in his retirement years working in his yard and tinkering in his shop. It wasn't uncommon to see him in his shop sharing stories with a friend. Math's love of family and friends was obvious in each word he uttered and every good deed he carried out. His motto in life was "if there is a will, there is a way" and he lived by this motto to his final days.
A Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 - 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB on Friday, June 2, 2023 at 7:00 P.M.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 - 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 12:00 P.M. with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed through Math's obituary on the Cornerstone website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Math's memory can be made to "Never Alone", for people who have no family or support and reside in care facilities. Please mail cheques to "Never Alone", 2222 - 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 0P2.
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