Mr. Pierre Mathurin

died on May 31, 2018 after fighting pancreatic cancer for more than five years. He was 56 years old. Born on August 4, 1961 to Marcel and Lucie Mathurin, he was a lifelong resident of Tampa. He graduated from Jesuit High School in 1978 and then earned degrees in Business Administration and Finance at the

University of South Florida. Gentle, unassuming, and soft-spoken, he worked as a proud

and dedicated ambassador at Busch Gardens for over 30 years. He considered many of his co-workers as his extended family and his love of Busch Gardens led him to chronicle its history in his free time.

His interest in trains and transit was sparked by early childhood trips to downtown Tampa on the bus. He ventured on many cross-country rail trips to visit family and friends as well as to train spot. His love of trains coupled with his sense of civic duty led to decades of tireless and passionate advocacy for public transit in the Tampa area including being a longtime member of both the Citizens Advisory Committee of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Consumers Advisory Board of HART.

He was thankful for the care given by Dr. Shalin Shah, Dr. Amir Awad, Dr. Todd Rosenthal, and all the caring staff at Florida Cancer Specialists and St. Joseph’s Hospital. Pierre is survived by his mother Lucie Mathurin; his half-sister, Danielle Mathurin; his sister, Nicole O’Connell (Sean), nieces, Helen and Grace; and his brother, Andre Mathurin. He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Marcel Mathurin.

A celebration of his life will take place on Monday, July 9 from 6-8 pm, at Blount & Curry Terrace Oaks, and a funeral Mass will be held on July 10 at 11 am, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, please remember him by contributing to a charitable organization of your choice.