Dr. S. Lal Mattu
May 25, 1943 – April 23, 2026
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dr. S. Lal Mattu, a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and the founder of Third Academy, a school for children with special educational needs. He passed away on April 23, 2026 in Calgary at the age of 82 following a short illness.
Dr. Mattu was born in Littran, Punjab in northern India and raised in Eldoret, Kenya, where he excelled as a student and athlete. He was a star field hockey player, and represented Kenya in matches against India and Pakistan.
After attending teacher training college in Nairobi, he began working at the age of 17 — the same age as some of his students — before moving to Britain in 1962 and to Canada in 1967. He started his life in Alberta teaching in a one-room school near Cold Lake, before spending time in Wainwright, Jasper, Salmon Arm, Golden and Lethbridge. Calgary became his home in the early 1990s.
Dr. Mattu believed education was the route to overcoming adversity and achieving success, and he was a lifelong learner. He earned undergraduate and master’s degrees at the University of Oregon, and a PhD at the University of Alberta, and committed his life to public service as a teacher, principal, superintendent of schools, and psychologist over a career that lasted more than six decades.
In 1997, Dr. Mattu founded Third Academy in Calgary to help families and children who were falling through the cracks. The school has helped thousands of children and evolved into a thriving education system.
Dr. Mattu’s service to the community were recognized with numerous honours, including the Alberta Centennial Medal and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the South Asian Inspiration Awards.
Dr. Mattu was a keen traveller and photographer, as well as a music lover who hosted a radio show in Calgary for many years. He was also a long-serving member of the Rotary Club.
Dr. Mattu is survived by his loving wife, Deep, his children, Sunil, Neena and Ravi, his daughters-in-law, Rehana and Johanna, and his eight beloved grandchildren.