Galax, Va. —
Ray was born on October 6, 1930, to the late William Joseph Mathieu and Charlotte Theresa Stratford Mathieu. In addition to his parents and his sister Doris Tanona, he is also preceded in death by his lovely wife, Anna Marie Mathieu, who passed recently on April 15, 2017.
As a youngster growing up in Grafton, Mass., Ray was very helpful in lending his time to the family chicken egg business. Ray was a kidder and he loved to pick on his older sister Doris quite frequently. Ray enjoyed fishing with his buddies, catching frogs and fire flies, riding bicycles, and sledding.
Ray met Anna prior to joining the US Army in 1948. They became engaged before Ray deployed to Germany to serve his country. Ray was the driver for the Captain, which was a high honor to have. Ray received his Corporal stripes in 1950. Ray also received a transatlantic phone call from his mom the same day he was awarded his stripes. What a special day that was for Ray and a very proud moment for his mother.
Ray served his time in the military and left Germany. Soon after he arrived back home, he married Anna on May 9, 1953. They had 3 children and settled first at Walker Egg Farm and then at Wool Top Egg Farm in Pepperell, Mass. Ray was the caretaker for both farms. The family later moved to Leominster, Mass., where Ray was employed as an engine mechanic at the ITT Golf Course in Groton, Mass. In 1971, Ray and family moved to Thetford Center, Vt., where Ray was employed as a painter for the Quechee Lakes Corporation. After a few years, Ray left the painting business and became an employee of Dartmouth College. Ray was responsible for making sure the travel vans were serviced and ready for all the away games for the students. He did many odd duties for the college and retired in June of 1992. For his entire life, Ray was an active deer hunter and fisherman. Hunters would gather each season at his home and they would plan their hunting strategies for the day while Anna always prepared great meals for all of them. In the summer months when Ray wasn’t out fishing, he was home tinkering on projects and mowing his lawn. He had the healthiest lawn in the area, and he was so very proud of it. One of his many projects included building contraptions to prevent the squirrels from getting into his bird feeders. It became an “arms race” – every time he built a better contraption, the world would build a better squirrel. Because Ray was persistent and innovative, he won the war. Ray was a “jack of all trades, master of none”. He first built a one-room hunting camp in Vermont and eventually turned it into a complete 2-story home along with a nicely landscaped yard. His experience and knowledge was passed on to many people. Ray was considered the “Go-to Guy” to anyone who needed advice on their projects.
In the Fall of 2007, Ray and Anna said, “The heck with these cold Vermont winters.” They sold everything and moved to Galax. They purchased a small, 3-bedroom brick ranch home and again Ray tended to his new lawn and made everyone jealous. He planted a great vegetable garden as well as flowers, and when not outside Ray loved to watch NASCAR and hunting/fishing shows. He kept laid back the last few years of his life and just relaxed.
His survivors include a son, Bill Mathieu and wife, Bobbi of Galax; two daughters, Rosanne Mathieu of Galax, and Charlotte Waters and husband Joel of Plainfield, N.H.; two grandchildren, Billy Mathieu and wife Angela of Colorado Springs, Col., and Lisa Mathieu of Post Mills, Vt.; two great-grandsons, Logan and Dylan Mathieu of Colorado Springs; as well as many nieces and nephews.
There will be military services and a celebration of life later this summer/fall season in Vermont and New Hampshire.