John P. ‘Jack’ Mathay 1942

Jun 05, 2023

Jun 6, 2023

CONNEAUT — John Preston "Jack" Mathay, 81, died Friday, June 2, 2023, in Ashtabula.

He was born Jan. 27, 1942, in Youngstown to Howard Ellsworth Mathay, M.D., and Mary Clara Siple Mathay.

Known as "Jack," he was a true "Renaissance man."

Jack graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1960 and earned a degree in history and economics from Virginia Military Institute in 1964.

His graduate studies at Michigan State University were interrupted when he began his military service during the Vietnam War. From 1966 to 1969, he served in the United States Army, explosive ordnance disposal, and was honorably discharged as a captain.

Following active duty, he trained as a cabinetmaker in Cleveland and took education classes in the evening, earning multiple teaching certifications.

One of Jack's lasting legacies is the number of lives he touched as a teacher. He taught for a brief period at Urban Community School in Cleveland, then spent the duration of his career teaching seventh- and eighth-grade social studies, English and reading at Pymatuning Valley School District from 1973 to 2004. Jack also coached the boys high school track and cross-country teams. He completed a graduate degree in educational administration from Westminster College in 1986.

As an active and dedicated community member and leader, he served multiple terms as president of the Andover Rotary, where he was a member for more than 25 years and earned the Paul Harris Fellow Award. Jack was a 41-year member of Gustavus Masonic Lodge 442 in Kinsman, as well as the Harry Lees American Legion in Kinsman.

He served on the boards of the Joseph Badger School District, Kinsman Library, Kinsman Presbyterian Church and Conneaut Historical Society. Jack completed five terms as president of the Pymatuning Valley Education Association and was a member of its negotiation team.

His retirement years were spent with the Fort LeBoeuf Historical Society of Waterford, Pa., the Conneaut Railroad Museum and Habitat for Humanity. In addition, Jack was also a devoted hospice volunteer for over a decade.

His other interests and hobbies included HAM radio, French and Indian War re-enacting, leather working, carpentry, antique collecting, herbal medicine and reading. Jack was a voracious reader and a lifetime learner. Jack was passionate about teaching living history. For many years, as a member of two French and Indian War re-enactment groups, he portrayed a French Marine soldier, surgeon's mate, clerk and artillery cannoneer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and granddaughter, Lillian Vinciquerra.

He is survived by his wife, Judith A. Matthy Mathay of Conneaut; two daughters, Elizabeth (Anthony) Vinciquerra of Rexford, N.Y., and Sarah (Matthew) Zurbuchen of Vancouver, British Columbia; his son, Andrew (Lydia Munnell) Mathay of Cleveland Heights; sister, Mary Frances Mathay of Charlotte, N.C.; and five grandsons, Jonas and Luca Vinciquerra, Remy and Loic Zurbuchen, and Asa Mathay.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, June 9, 2023, at Kinsman Presbyterian Church, 6368 Church St., Kinsman, with the Rev. Susan Francis officiating. Burial will follow in Kinsman Cemetery.

Calling hours will be held 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, with a 6 p.m. Masonic service, at Baumgardner Funeral and Cremation Service, 134 Prospect St., Andover.

The family is very grateful to Dr. Shinoj Pattali and the staff of the ACMC Cancer and Infusion Center, and to the physicians and staff at ACMC, for the quality and compassionate care they provided to Jack in his last chapter.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice of the Western Reserve, P.O. Box 72101, Cleveland, OH 44192.

Share a fond memory or condolence at www.baumgardnerfuneralhome.com.

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