The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, March 13, 2009 · 2 Family may never know what happened Continued from page 1 pursue an honours environmental studies program at Trent University made sense as well. "He was looking at applying to both the Ministry of the Environment in Ontario and to Environment Canada," said Douglas. "I don't know how it started, he just started taking general programs and sort of fell into the environmental side." While Mathew was passionate about the environment, his parents note he was not particularly fond of schoolwork, with an entry in his high school yearbook reading that he hoped to one day become a `lazy millionaire.' "He was smart enough I think, to know how much work he had to do in order to get by and he did that. He didn't do any extra, but he did that." This work ethic apparently served him well at university as he was scheduled to graduate in four weeks and would have had his graduation picture taken on Wednesday. While excelling at physical activities, with his main hobbies including snowboarding and working out, Mathew's parents note their son also had a sensitive side. "He had the hugest heart I've ever seen on a 24-year-old. This kid was sensitive beyond belief," said Sheehan, choking back tears. "I remember when he was a little bit younger, if his friends were doing something and said they would call back he would literally sit by the phone and wait for it to ring. If they didn't call back and went out without him, oh my God, there would be hell to pay. You could see the pain, he was so hurt." Mathew's twin brother, Kyle, also inspired intense emotional responses and while their relationship is described as one of the love/hate variety, Sheehan also noted their bond went beyond anything. "It didn't matter how bad a fight could be between them, with us or with friends, they would always support each other through and through," she said. "I think this is going to be devastating for Kyle." Douglas noted that he saw both Mathew and Kyle on Thursday, March 5, when he travelled to Peterborough, where Kyle is also attending Trent University. "I'm lucky I got to give him a hug goodbye. The last thing I said to him was drive safely." Douglas Ferguson Mathew's dad Douglas took both boys out shopping and to dinner before returning to Oakville. "I'm lucky I got to give him a hug goodbye," said Douglas. "The last thing I said to him was drive safely." The events that would lead to the end of Mathew's short life began on Saturday at around 9 p.m. when Mathew left his house in Peterborough to visit a friend. Once there, Douglas believes the boys had some drinks before taking a taxi to a bar called the Junction. "His friends tell us he had a good night. He was happy, dancing with the girls," said Sheehan. "We're thankful for that." At around 12:30 a.m. the boys left the bar and returned to Mathew's friend's home where they hung out until 4 a.m. at which point a cab was called for Mathew. Mathew's friend noted he saw Mathew walking towards the cab. It is unknown exactly what happened next. However, what is known is that shortly thereafter Mathew was driving his car home. It was during this drive that Mathew lost control of his vehicle, which left the road and hit a tree. "Apparently he was speeding, the police report indicates he was going at a pretty good clip. We think he probably hit a patch of black ice, tried to get the car under control, over corrected, hit the curb, launched the car in the air and hit the trees," said Douglas. The car came to rest at the bottom of an incline, but Mathew was not found until around 8 a.m. the next day. Mathew's wrecked car was being loaded on a flatbed truck when his parents arrived on the scene. "He made a choice to get in his car," said Douglas. "Whether alcohol was a factor we don't really know and we'll probably never know." Douglas notes that Peterborough police will be taking Mathew's crumpled car to local high schools in an effort to prevent further tragedies in the future. A funeral service to celebrate Mathew's life will be held at 11 a.m. today in the Kopriva Chapel. A reception will follow at the Oakville Golf Club, located at 1154 Sixth Line. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations to the World Wildlife Fund made. ATHENA fashion Mar. 29 ATHENA Oakville will Spring Forward into Fashion on Sunday, March 29 with an afternoon tea/fashion show fundraiser. The event will raise funds to for scholarships handed out annually by ATHENA Oakville. It will showcase spring and summer fashions from Studio 49 from 1-4 p.m. at LeDome Banquet Hall at 1173 North Service Rd. E. Tickets cost $65 and are available in advance until Friday, March 20 through the Oakville Chamber of Commerce at www.oakvillechamber.com. Full Delivery: Ashley Furniture, Dell Computers, Metro, KIA, Vistek, Wedding Planner, Fortinos, Smart Source, Sears, Price Chopper, Food Basics, Hakim Optical, Superstore, No Frills, Sobeys, Zellers, Pharma Plus, Wal-Mart, Hoopers Pharmacy Partial Delivery: Shoppers Drug Mart, Staples, Best Buy, The Brick, Michael's, Rogers, Shopping Channel, Future Shop, 2001 Audio, Canadian Tire oyster perpetual yacht-master 4 Floors of Showrooms Inside Artscene..................................................24 Sports......................................................29 Classified.................................................35 For home delivery & customer service call (905) 845-9742 Mon., Tues. and Thurs. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Wed. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m. NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS call (905) 845-9742 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com See inside today's paper for special subscription offer. GREAT SELECTION Sofa Suites for Living Rooms & Family Rooms Fabric/Leather www.carstaroakville.com Proudly supporting Canadian Manufacturers 905-845-7579 905-847-2595 2212 Wyecroft Rd. 547 Trafalgar Rd. 4 OUT OF 5 PEOPLE WITH DIABETES DIE OF HEART DISEASE. Better your odds. Visit getserious.ca 217 Lakeshore Road East Downtown Oakville Since 1953 · Full Mechanical Repairs · Emissions Testing & Repairs (Only at Wyecroft location) www.swissinteriors.com 905.844.3530 *