Normand Mathieu, 80, of Fort Myers, Florida and New Bedford died Saturday July 17, 2004 surrounded by his family at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford after a brief hospitalization following declining health. He was the husband of Jeannette R. (Boutin) Mathieu; they had been married for 58 years.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Leopold and Lea (Demanche) Mathieu, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life. He and his wife traveled extensively and maintained homes in both New Bedford and Fort Myers.
Mr. Mathieu was a well-known New Bedford area pharmacist, succeeding his late father as the owner of Nash Pharmacy which was opened in 1917. He later established the Sassaquin Pharmacy and Gas-Light Gift Shop in 1966, which he operated with his wife "Jan" until they retired in 1985. He was also a co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of Gold Bond Medicated Powder Company during the 1980s.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army as a medic with the 91st Infantry Battalion in North Africa and Italy. He was awarded the European-Middle Eastern-African Theater Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was a former member of the New Bedford Board of Health, a Past President of the Southeastern Massachusetts Druggists Association, and a member of Phi Delta Chi Pharmaceutical Fraternity.
He was a kind, generous man who helped many friends and relatives with advice and support throughout his life. He enjoyed bowling and fishing, but most of all he enjoyed just being "Pepere" to his four grandchildren, and also to many other children whose lives he touched.
Survivors include his wife; his son, Marc Mathieu of New Bedford; his daughter Denise Gushue and her husband Attorney John J. Gushue of East Freetown; three grandchildren, Daniel M. Gushue of East Freetown, Janelle E. Gushue of Monessen, PA, and Laura L. Mathieu of South Dartmouth; his brother, Attorney Paul J. Mathieu and his wife Janet of Lakeville; two sisters, Germaine Pepin and her husband Omer of New Bedford, and Jacqueline Duclos and her husband William of Lakeville and Bonita Springs, Florida; his brother-in-law, Paul Landreville of New Bedford; and many nieces and nephews.
He was the grandfather of the late Ross C. Mathieu, and brother of the late Claire Landreville and Simone Dionne.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New BedfordTuesday July 20, 2004 at 8:45 AM.Funeral Mass at St. John Neumann Church, East Freetown at 10 AM.Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Monday July 19, 2004 from 4-8 PM. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or "Stop Handgun Violence", One Bridge St., Newton, MA 02495 in memory of his late grandson Ross C. Mathieu.