An exceptional leader on so many fronts – that’s how former CFL player Matt Pearce is being remembered by one-time coach and long-time family friend, Tom Masich.
Pearce passed away unexpectedly at his home in Prince George early yesterday morning. He was just 48-years-old and Masich says it’s shocking to believe such a vibrant and physically active man is gone.
Masich became good friends with Pearce’s father, Ross, as they worked to found the Prince George Track & Field Club. As the club’s head coach, he remembers watching a young Pearce progress through track and field and into football. Masich says it was exciting to follow the Prince George native’s athletic career through UBC and into the CFL.
“And that’s how I came to know Matt and respect him so much for his diligence and hard work and super-citizenship for the city.”
Masich says the loss of the local teacher and coach will be felt deeply throughout the community.
“He was a man who was a strong professional teacher, he believed in the cause of teachers.”
“He stood up and he fought for the rights of teachers, as hard as he (played) on the gridiron, or sprint(ed) on the track. He just put his full effort into things he believed in.”
Masich was on the committee that inducted Pearce into the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame, which, he says, was quite a feat given Pearce was only 32 at the time.
Masich is expressing his sincere condolences to Pearce’s wife, Sherrie, his daughter, Tenley, son, Colburn, and his father, Ross and sister, Keirsten.
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