Former Shrewsbury doctor dies after fall
The family of a retired doctor who died after a fall, has paid tribute to him for his work in the community.
John Matthias, 73, was part of the leadership team at Barnabas Community Church in Shrewsbury for 20 years before moving to help establish Hope Church in Sundorne.
In his retirement he was part of the committee that formed Shrewsbury Street Pastors.
Dr Matthias died from a severe head injury at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on March 19 after a fall down the stairs of his home in the town earlier in the day.
At an inquest at the Shirehall recently the coroner for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Mr John Ellery gave a conclusion of accidental death.
Following the inquest his family paid tribute to "a kind and loving family man, who spent his retirement supporting several local charities".
He was born in Ruabon and after school in Wrexham he went to Birmingham University to study medicine, and worked in Birmingham, West Africa and Shrewsbury as a doctor until his retirement 15 years ago.
He was at the Albert Road Surgery in Sundorne for just over 20 years.
As part of his volunteering work he was involved with Shrewsbury Kidz Klub and arranged an annual coach trip to Barmouth for local families.
He is survived by his wife Marion and their three children.
