1926 – 2013

AUBURN — Jean Paul R. Mathieu, 87, a resident of Brown Street in Lewiston, died Thursday morning, Dec. 19, at the Hospice House, following a brief illness.

He was born in Lewiston on June 17, 1926, the son of Omer and Armosa (Dubois) Mathieu. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in Europe and Africa. Following the war, he continued his education at a local business college in Lewiston. On Nov. 8, 1952, he married the love of his life, the former Alma Chasse. Jean Paul was employed most of his life as a shoe cutter in the local shoe industry, retiring in 1989.

He was a longtime member of Holy Cross Church. His hobbies included making puzzles, bowling and cutting wood at home. He also had a special love for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Alma, of Lewiston; two sons, Raymond D. Mathieu and wife, Jill, of Hebron and Robert D. Mathieu and wife, Roberta, of Sabattus; two daughters, Rachel R. Legare and husband, Donald, of Auburn and Louise J. Michaud and husband, Raymond, of Lewiston; four brothers, Maurice Mathieu and wife, Gemma, of Fall River, Mass., Gerry Mathieu and wife, Jacqueline, of Lewiston, Marcel Mathieu and wife, Irene, of Lewiston and Mesa, Ariz., and Rene Mathieu and wife, Pauline, of Fayette; and two sisters, Carmen Goupil of Lewiston and Pauline Bernier and husband, Victor, of Arcadia, Fla. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by one brother, Armand Mathieu; and two sisters, Cecile Mercier and Irene Gauthier.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.