Kevin de Matas memorial

Kevin Peter de Matas was born in Trinidad in 1935. He was unable to continue his education beyond the age of 16 as he elected to go to work to help his parents support his fourteen siblings. His first job was on a tugboat at an oil refinery. A few years later he began working in refrigeration and cooling, in which he was mentored and self-taught. This would begin his lifelong passion for the industry.

While he did not have the opportunity to obtain a formal education, Kevin understood its value. In order to provide his family the best chance for success, he relocated his wife and three children to the United States in the mid-seventies. At this point in his career he worked diligently to learn the heating aspect of his trade.

In 1975, Kevin was hired at General Motors and worked there for twenty-two years until his retirement in 1997. Upon retirement he started his own heating, cooling and refrigeration company. Kevin was happiest when he was working. He took every opportunity to help friends or anyone in need of heating and cooling repairs. When he was not working, Kevin was often found reading a book about his craft. He considered it a gift to work in a trade which he found so enjoyable.