The newspaper "The Daily Columbian" published the following on 26 June 1897: "Death of Mr. English... the well-known canneryman succumbed, last night, after a short illness, at Steveston. This morning, the death was announced of Mr. M.M. English, for many years a resident of this city and one of the pioneer salmon canners of the Fraser River. The sad news, which was quite unexpected by the public generally, spread quickly, and soon a large number of flags were flying at half-mast from public and private buildings, out of respect to the deceased, who, during a long residence, had made a host of friends not only in the city but throughout the Province. Mr. English was born at Charlestown, Virginia, U.S., on the 8th of April, 1840, thus being in his fifty-seventh year. His parents were John Marshall English and Ann Maria Martin English. He was educated in the Virginia public schools, and after completing his studies, followed farming, milling and mining pursuits. In April, 1877 Mr. English came to this Province. Taking up residence in this city, he became interested in the salmon canning industry and with Mr. Adair, operated at Brownsville, one of the first four canneries on the Fraser River. Subsequently, he became associated with Mr. T.E. Ladner and others in another cannery and a year or two later, he erected and operated the old Phoenix cannery near Steveston, this cannery being the first cannery on the lower portion of the Fraser. Under Mr. English's management, the Phoenix brand of salmon acquired a world-wide reputation, and the cannery continued to be successfully operated until a few years ago, when it, with others, was acquired by a wealthy English syndicate, Mr. English being retained for some time thereafter as manager. He then retired, and paid a visit to England. Last year, he again went into business, and built a new cannery, a short distance from the site of the old Phoenix, which meantime had been destroyed by fire. Having built a residence on his farm near the cannery site some years previous, he removed there with his family, only spending the winter months in the city, at the fine residence on Royal Avenue. For a week or more past, Mr. English had been unwell, but paid no particular attention to his ailment, and last week, he went down to Victoria on business. While there, he caught a cold, which attacked the kidneys and stomach, and on his return he was confined to his bed. He speedily became a good deal worse, and medical aid was summoned. Dr. Fagan went down yesterday, and Dr. Walker was also called in. But it was seen that the patient was gradually sinking, and heart failure supervening, he passed away about ten o'clock last night. In 1868, Mr. English was married to Miss Molineux, of Aurora, Nevada, who with three daughters and four sons, survive him. Four brothers of Mr. English are residents of California: Mr. Barclay English, of San Francisco; and Messrs. Warren, John and Hon. W.D. English of Oakland. The remains of the late M.M. English were today brought up to this city on the steamer Kildonan. The arrangements for the funeral have not yet been completed, but it is probable the interment will take place on Monday. "

His burial was written up in the paper a few days later: "Laid to Rest.....The funeral of the late M.M. English took place, this forenoon, from St. Peter's R.C. Cathedral, where a Requiem High Mass was sung by Bishop Dontonville. The cathedral interior was appropriately draped, and the impressive service was witnessed by a large congregation, including friends of the deceased from various points in the district, representatives of the fishing industry being prominent. At 11:30. the service was concluded, and the cortege moved to the cemetery at Sapperton, where Father Morgan performed the last sad rites. A large number of prominent citizens followed on foot and in carriages. The pallbearers were Messrs. G.D. Brymer (President of the Bank of Montreal), G.E. Corbould (a lawyer & MP), I.B. Fisher (President of the Bank of British Columbia), Alex. Ewen, W.A. Munroe, F.J. Coulthard (in insurance), T.L. Briggs and H.N. Rich. The floral tributes were very numerous and beautiful, completely covering the casket, as well as the top of the somber hearse, where the various wreaths and other emblems were conspicuously displayed."