When a Ph.D in Construction Science endorses your project by buying a home in it, it’s quite the feather in your cap!
Dr. Chic Matthewson and his wife Joyce recently bought a renovated Garden Home in The Village at St. Elizabeth Mills.
So who is this Doctor of Construction? Born in Scotland 85 years ago, Chic Matthewson’s ambition was to become a carpenter – or as he calls it a “joiner”. Chic was streamlined into the academic A1 class headed for university, but left high school at age 14. He decided to follow his heart, completing an apprenticeship as a joiner followed by a 3-year stint as a journeyman. He then completed a 2-year mandatory stint in the National Service (Royal Air Force) during which the Education Officer encouraged him to take classes and pursue an academic career.
Chic received his Bachelor degree in Building Construction from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh and then worked his way into the building industry, and eventually into site supervisory positions.
He and his young family moved to Canada in 1962. He changed track and got into Estimating and Bidding, and eventually became the Chief Estimator for a couple of major construction companies, pricing out buildings up to $8 million – a hefty price tag back in the 1970s.
He wanted to pursue his education and had the opportunity to return to Heriot Watt to complete his Master’s Degree in Construction Science and Management, which he earned at age 52. His aim was to pursue a teaching career at university level. At that time there were no university programs in Construction Science in Canada. He applied for and obtained the position of Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He worked on his PhD (completing it at age 60) and was eventually promoted to Associate Professor. He was then offered a full professorship and Department Chair position at Clemson University in South Carolina in their School of Architecture.
Chic and his wife Joyce retired and spent several years in Naples, Florida. Chic worked in the pro shop of one of Naple’s major golf clubs. He also worked part-time as a Consultant and taught part-time at a local college. Meantime, back in Canada, their family of four, now with families of their own, was continuing to grow. Chic and Joyce decided it was time to be a part of that and returned to Canada. Recently, their Hamilton home and property was proving to be too much to maintain and the couple sought a more manageable lifestyle. They visited several of the “retirement” communities in Hamilton and only after extensive research and comparison they selected a Garden Home at The Village at St. Elizabeth Mills.
The Matthewson’s were extremely impressed with the opportunities at St. Elizabeth Mills. They worked closely with the people at ZEST Communities on re-modelling one of the existing Garden Homes and making it work for them.
“We virtually designed our own home exactly as we wanted it, and the folks at ZEST accommodated our design ideas willingly. We love our new home,” says Chic.
Not only that, but the couple is extremely active in the St. Elizabeth Mills community. Chic spends time in the stained glass studio as well as the woodworking studio. “It’s a place to die for (or in!)” he tells us. Chic and Joyce use the pool regularly and take advantage of the many programs offered.
When it comes to selecting a community for the 55+ years, the Matthewson’s are pretty sure they chose wisely. In a nutshell: “We love it here”.
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