John “Jack” J. Mathieu passed away peacefully on December 26, 2018 in Houston, Texas. He was born on April 30, 1930 in Pittsburgh, PA to John and Elsie Mathieu. Jack went to Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh before going to La Salle University. After attending La Salle, he was drafted into the Army where he would fall in love with his future wife, Kathleen Conway. Little to their knowing, him and Kathleen lived across the alley from each other, but their love began with those war letters. Letters turned into marriage and after his service, he started working at Connecticut General Life Insurance before ultimately starting his long term career of almost 50 years in the Convention and Tradeshow business. He moved his family to Brookfield, Wisconsin and began at Shea Matson. In 1968, he moved his family to Houston, Texas where Jack and his family lived until his death. From city to farm life, he instilled the characteristics of love, hard work and compassion to his children. He had a very successful career at Sullivan Transfer Company, United Exposition and GES, where Jack was known for his very kind and generous spirit and extremely keen sense of humor, a true “gentleman”. He transformed many lives around him with his very kind heart and true desire to care for the need of his family and friends. Jack and his wife Kathleen faithfully attended St. John Vianney Church for 50 years.
He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Kathleen C. Mathieu, Al Mathieu (brother) and John & Elsie Mathieu (parents).
Jack leaves behind 5 children, 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, whom he loved so very deeply and they called him their “Pap Pap”. Son, Greg Mathieu (Melissa), Judy Jozwiak (Anthony), Jan Curbow (Michael), Valerie Mathieu and Vicki Lullo (Richard). Grandchildren: Kristin Bonin (Chris), Tyler Mathieu, Colton (Caitlin) Mathieu, Matthew Jozwiak, Haley Jozwiak, Melissa Jernigan, Amanda Barham (George), Michelle Curbow (Brenna). Great Grandchildren: Jacey Bonin, Emery Bonin, Christian Jernigan, Kaden Jernigan, Cason Jack Jernigan, Kathleen Jernigan, Shawn Holmes and Lawson Barnwell. He is also survived by his sister, Doris Mathieu (Pittsburgh) and his brother, Richard Mathieu (The Woodlands).
Viewing will be on Sunday December 30th from 2:00pm-5:00pm at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery at 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77079. Funeral services will be on Monday, December 31st at 10:30a.m. at St. Vianney Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a tribute gift to be made to Central Catholic High School in Jack Mathieu’s memory: https://www.centralcatholichs.com/pages/give, Central Catholic High School, 4720 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
