Joseph Brian Matley

Joseph Brian Matley

6/15/1932 – 12/31/2016 (84)

Joseph “Brian” Matley’s spirit left this earth on a rainbow on December 31, 2016 at home with his loving wife and family by his side. Brian led a very active life as an avid tennis player, golfer, horseshoe and darts player. Brian ultimately succumbed to heart complications. He will be missed by many.

Brian will be remembered as a brilliant and caring man with a sparkle in his eye and a wonderful British sense of humor. He was a dedicated husband, father, granddad, great granddad and friend to many others.

Brian was born June 15, 1932, the second son of five siblings to Wallace and Annie (Leas) Matley in Ashton-under-Lyne, England. He was known as “our Joe” to his family in England. His parents have preceded him in death. Joe grew up in Ashton with his brothers Wallace and Keith and Sisters Brenda (Lea) and Linda (Linney). All still live in England. Brian attended Nottingham University and graduated with a degree in Electronic Engineering. In 1957 he married Dorothy Anne Washington and they had four children: sons Kim, Robin, Tony and daughter Kendal (Dias). After moving to Australia in 1958 to work on the anti-submarine Ikara missile system design, Brian returned to England in 1962 where he later worked at the Clarendon Laboratory at Oxford University in telemetry and received a PhD in Astro Physics. The family moved to the Silicon Valley in the US in 1968 where Brian worked on many pioneering devices, such as the predecessor to the camcorder, and held patents on some of his designs. Through his work, Brian was involved in many nationally televised events such as the Montreal Olympics, Academy Award Shows and Space Shuttle Missions.

In 1986, Brian met his loving wife Bonny (Grissom) Madsen Matley whom he married in 1989. Brian and Bonny moved to Camarillo in 1988 where they found their perfect retirement home: this became their pride and joy. They spent years together improving the property to make it a welcoming home for family members to visit. Brian loved Bonny and the life they shared, and the two were together until the moment he left us.

Brian also leaves behind a large family that has grown to include: Cheryl Madsen, Katrina Madsen, Kristian Madsen, and Elizabeth Madsen. Eighteen grand children: Joshua Jenkins, Gregory “JR” Dias, Cailyn Matley, Nicholas “Cole” Matley, Patrick Dias, Heather Matley, Serena Matley, Corbin Matley, James Madsen, Thomas Madsen, Ruby Madsen, Elijah Andrews, Jacqueline Madsen, Brianna Hydorn, Katheryn Madsen, Isabelle Madsen, Alexander Wolsten, and EmmaRuth Wolsten. Seven great grandchildren, at this time, include Levi, August, Leo, Hannah, Christopher, Ellie, and Jack.

A private celebration of Brian’s life will be held at his home in the Santa Rosa Valley of Camarillo. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association, or to the American Heart Association.