Royal R. Matthews Jr.
1919 – 2009

LEWISTON – Royal R. Matthews Jr., 89, of Royal Street, Lisbon Falls, died Aug. 29, at Central Maine Medical Center, with his family at his side.

He was born in Bath, on Dec. 7, 1919, a son of Royal and Lucy (Card) Matthews Sr. He was educated in elementary schools of Lisbon Falls, graduated from Lisbon Falls High School in 1937, graduated from Bridgton Academy in 1938, attended the University of Maine from 1939 to 1941.

In October of 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force, serving during World War II. He was stationed in the Aleutian Islands for 18 months. He returned to the United States to begin Air Cadet training. He completed air gunnery training, bombardier training and started navigation training. When the war ended, he was stationed in Texas. He received his discharge in Oklahoma in October, 1945. While in the Air Force he attended the University of Cincinnati and many training programs.

He married the former Muriel (Mickey) V. Brooks on Aug. 4, 1945, in Lubbock Texas. Following his discharge from the military he returned to the University of Maine, Orono, and received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1948.

He started working with the U.S. Gypsum Co., 1948 to 1955, as a trainee and worked his way up to plant engineer. He also worked at Pepperall Manufacturing Co., as a maintanence and power plant engineer, 1955 to1957. He then went on to work for Maine Engineer Service Co., 1957 to 1981, joined Mechanical Systems in 1981, until his retirement in 1989.

He was a member of the Lisbon Coombs-Mountford Post 158, 50-year member of the Ancient York Lodge No. 155, A.F & A.M., and Lisbon Lobster Club. He was a short time member of the Lewiston Elks and the Lisbon Left Hand Club. He was a charter member and president of the original Lisbon High Booster Club. After his retirement, in addition to his family, he enjoyed working in his garden, caning chairs, making candles, stained glass and woodworking.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Muriel Mathews, of Lisbon Falls; three daughters, Karen Carroll of Lisbon Falls, Darlene Austin and her husband, Raymond, of Lisbon Falls and Laurie Larochelle and her husband, Paul, of Durham; a son, Randall Mathews of Lisbon Falls; nine grandchildren, Kerry, Kristan, Kevin, Benjamin, Mandee, Kasey, Keith, Darin and Matthew; 18 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter.

He was predeceased by a brother, John M. Matthews.