Ray Matthieu, one of our cousins from the Greenhalgh family branch, has passed away. Ray Matthieu was a great nephew to “Grandma Riley” (Margaret E. Greenhalgh Riley 1876-1962).

 

His Obituary follows:

“Raymond S. Matthieu Jr. passed away Sunday May 17th with his family by his side, at his home in Attleboro, MA.  He was 71.

Ray was born in Pawtucket RI, the son of the late Raymond S. and Margaret (Greenhalgh) Matthieu.  He grew up in the Pinecrest neighborhood of Pawtucket and attended Pawtucket Vocational high school.

Ray was a decorated veteran who served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne from 1967 to 1969.  During that time, he saw active duty in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze star before his honorable discharge.  For many years, Ray served as a firefighter and EMT for the city of Pawtucket.  In 1989, he was honored by the Pawtucket City Council for his heroism in saving the life an unconscious elderly resident from a large apartment building fire.  Later, Ray enjoyed working as a bus driver for RIPTA where he drove routes in Newport, RI.

Ray was an avid athlete and elite runner, having run in several marathons and finishing in the top 200 of the 1986 Boston marathon with an astounding time of 2 hours 37 minutes.  A long-time hockey player and devoted member of Rhody Oldies hockey league in Pawtucket, he delighted in playing his favorite sport with his closest friends.

Ray is survived by his wife Jean, his sons Raymond [Trisha] Matthieu and Mark [Li] Matthieu, his step-sons Timothy [Sally] Doyle and Kevin Doyle, his beloved grandchildren Ian and Neve, and his devoted dog Molly.

Respectfully, Ray’s services will be private.”

I went to St Leo’s Grammar School with Ray, and saw him in and around Pawtucket all through our high school years. Ray was really a nice guy who always called me “Cuz.”

Rest In Peace, Cuz.