Michael Kelly Mathieu
March 10, 1960-April 22, 2022
Michael Kelly Mathieu, 62, of Mineral, Virginia, passed away on April 22nd, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Mike was in the Navy for 26 years, and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer. He moved to Lake Anna, and continued to work in the private sector for 17 years.
Mike was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, teammate, colleague, and friend. He had a joy of life, took every opportunity to make everyone feel welcomed and at ease, and was known for his sense of humor and practical jokes. Mike invented the sport of Pumpkin Bowling, among other accomplishments. He was an avid boater and fisher, and loved spending time out on the lake with his friends and family.
Mike was preceded in death by his father, Charles Edward Mathieu. Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Caryl Ann Victoria Mathieu, his son, Douglas Edward Mathieu, and his daughter, Victoria Elizabeth Mathieu Ng, along with her husband, John Ng, and their daughter, Violetta Bingbing Aulani Ng.
Mike is also survived by his mother, Betsy Ann Mathieu, as well as his brothers and their significant others: Charles Alan Mathieu and Mary Mathieu; Daniel Ralph Mathieu and Claudia Mathieu; Edward Campbell Mathieu and Joan Stamm; Douglas Boyd Mathieu and Zuleika Deciga-Mathieu; and Donby John Mathieu and Monica Mathieu.
A funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 12th, 2022, at Woodward Funeral Home in Louisa, Virginia. 200 Fredericksburg Avenue Louisa, Virginia, 23093
*Interment will follow at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.* Mike was an American hero, and although much of what he did is not known to many, he will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors. You are welcome to attend, and we will pass on more information, as it is available.
The family would love to hear from each and every one of you: Please feel free to leave a comment below with how you knew Mike, how he touched your life, or a fun story to share.
Memorials may be made to the Contreras Cancer Fund, with a note “Oasis of Hope—In Memory of Michael Mathieu,” sent to
Contreras Cancer Fund
attn: Mr. Larry Mackay
21208 N 52nd Ave
Glendale, AZ 85308-9355
or by visiting https://www.canceraidresearch.org/programs/contreras-cancer-fund/
I served with Mike while in the Navy at NSWDG from 2003 until he retired and then again this January at PAE.
He was a great mentor and I will remember his commitment to excellence to a very important national security mission, his leadership, his sense of humor, love for cars and most importantly, his friendship…
Mike is a light and a joy to everyone around him! He invented exotic appetizers like cheese melted on saltines to serve guests – a classic. When I found a little gap in his Pumpkin Bowling rules, I tested it, and he called the International Squash Sports Association in Sweden for a ruling… to disqualify me.
Mike and Caryl’s love story is one of my favorites. A whirlwind romance. A sailor and a singer. Life in the military. Many heroic acts we will never know in detail while Caryl kept their family going at home. Pizzas in Bermuda. And here! Caryl cooking and Mike keeping the drinks flowing. Mike’s homemade birthday cards were sometimes made from Amazon boxes. A cane with a bicycle horn and a bottle of bourbon tied on. Memories we will have always. Love that will not end.
We’ll always be here for the Mathieu family. All our love.
Mike was a practical joker with a heart of gold, full of wisdom and love for family, friends and his country. We will always cherish our memories with Mike at community parties, Christmas caroling (he was quite a songster), and pumpkin bowling. Only a creative, fun-loving guy like Mike could develop a new worldwide sport!
We send sympathy, prayers and hugs to Caryl, Doug, Vicki, and all of his family. He will be missed by so many!
💕🌷Mike was such a warm hearted brother-in-law with a sense of humor that would surprise anyone at the most unexpected times…..
Although times were too few that we all spent together, there are so many memories of trips on the lake, eating Caryl’s delicious dinners 24 hours a day, while Mike told some of his military tales….. and of course having to try his “spam specialty“, before we left on our trip back home!
I know of a few of Mike’s military accomplishments but his skills came in handy when he locked us all out of my house on a cold night by mistake and he had to pick the lock to get back in!
All the kids relished in his fun side…. Even when he almost gave me a heart attack carrying my younger daughter into the house saying she broke her leg while on a venture that I didn’t want them to go on! Of course he was only kidding!!
When I often called my sister Caryl, Mike always had to take the phone away from her to tell her he had to ask me an important question…… It took me a couple of times to catch on but his important question was always a joke……his humorous side….. 😂
I know for a fact Mike loved his family more than anything in the world! My sister Caryl was his one and only true love and his son Doug and daughter Victoria, were his pride and joy!
With that said, my deepest sympathy to Caryl, Doug, Vickie and all those who knew Mike… He will be missed by many…
We love 💕 you Mike …… you will always be with us……
With all my heart, I will give this poem that I previously gave to my Mother, Father & Sister in heaven, to him now…
Mike:
You are sweeter than all the angels
That lie in the heavens above
We will remember you forever and ever
We will remember you with all our love.
Everything you did was wonderful
You had a heart of gold so pure.
God needed an angel in heaven,
That’s why he took you we’re sure.
Love Always & Forever 💕
Kathy
💕🌷
I had the distinct privilege of serving with Mike at NSWDG.
Mike was one of those rare individuals that could make you laugh when things were at their worst. He always saw the bright side no matter what.
Mike was driven to improve everything he saw. His curiosity, insights and experience have become the bedrock of the community’s training programs and real world operations.
Mike was truly one of a kind, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was
sitting next to the All Mighty making him laugh and shaking his head.
You are missed brother!
Paul
Mike Mathieu! A BIG kid Heart! Always tinkering with something or some idea, always full of energy and interested in learning all that he could and then EXCITED to share what he learned! I can still see his wide blue eyes and big smile whenever he had something GREAT to share! He had a wealth of knowledge and it always amazed me how he was able to retain everything! Mike and Caryl always found time to share all they had with their family, friends and even acquaintances! Pizza nights ALWAYS a blast! A genuine family to so many, and I know Mike has appreciated all the strength and support of Caryl, Doug and Victoria through the years! We are all so thankful for the memories shared and their precious time that they have given to our family. May God continue to bless the Mathieu family! Please know we will always be here for you. Praying always! Love you!
Mike was a great friend and colleague. He will be sorely missed by so many. A real American unsung hero. Rest In Peace. Sending prayers and strength to you Caryl and family.
Rest in Peace to a consumate Navy EOD Warrior and condolences to his family and friends.
Rip Mike, Caryl, sorry to hear about Mike. Thank you for all the the good times we had in Bermuda. Special couple you two are. God Bless, Myron
Sandy and I have always anticipated Fall; Changing leaves, crisp autumn air, spice everything, the anticipation and beginning of the holiday season, and Pumpkin Bowling. Thank you, Mike for bringing levity, hilarity, and goofiness by sharing this ever-evolving, seasonal ‘American’ tradition; First by devising (conniving?) it for our British counterparts overseas…then bringing it back home!
We had a common bond through service in the USN: You, a specialist who would do anything in their power to ensure everyone returned safely home…unscathed; And me, a specialist who would ensure you, or any injured, would make it home alive. It was a symbiotic, quirky relationship. I will remember conversations about out times of service, our country, our patriotism, and our patriotic roots. Most of all, I will cherish our conversations about faith.
I recently read a Billy Graham excerpt regarding the revered, scientist Albert Einstein: (Paraphrased) Einstein was on a train when the conductor stopped to punch his ticket. Einstein was preoccupied yet started rummaging through his, pockets, suitcases, and belongings for his ticket to no avail. The conductor said they knew who he was and where he was going. The conductor was sure he bought a ticket and not to worry. When Dr. Einstein continued his search the conductor affirmed: “Dr. Einstein, please don’t worry about it. I know who you are.” Einstein looked up and said, “I, too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.”
Rest assured, my friend, neighbor, brother-in-arms, and Brother-in-Christ knew exactly who he was, where he was going (with ticket in hand), and the ultimate conductor that was punching his ticket… Mike, we’ll miss and remember you until we meet again.
God has called home one of the finest Warriors I ever served with.. Rest In Peace Brother.
RIP Mike, Mike was a great friend and mentor, always taking time to explain things and help others. He will be missed, may his memory always be a blessing.
It always hard to hear about a someone you know passing. It’s even harder when he was a teammate and friend. I was with Mike at NSWDG also. I was at the EOD Memorial yesterday, where fallen EOD Techs of every service are remembered. While all the names were read and speeches made I thought of Mike and everyone that he has trained throughout his career in and out of the Navy. There is no doubt in my mind that more names would have been read without the training they received in some way from the “ Nutty Professor.” Carol and family I’m sorry for your loss. Miss all the times the Gang had at BBQ’s and get togethers in Va Beach.
Hoo Yah Brother you will be missed,
Bob Evans
I was so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. What a great guy! We all had so much fun in Bermuda. May God bless you and your family as you go through these hard times.
We met Mike and Caryl last year at Oasis of Hope Hospital in Tijuana. We were privileged to share meals and conversations with them during our stay. May God bless and keep Caryl and her family.
I met Mike briefly 40-plus years ago, pre-Caryl, in Indian Head, Maryland. Fast forward a few years to Bermuda in 1985; Mike and Caryl had married, had baby Doug and were expecting Victoria, and I was due to give birth to our son while waiting for military housing. They were living in a small apartment, but they invited us to stay with them with our newborn until our housing was ready! I was basically a stranger to them!! I don’t recall how long we stayed, but I know we felt more than welcome, and they shared everything they had with us, including Caryl’s out-of-this-world cooking and their brand of humor, which kept us in stitches. We have maintained our friendship since then; fortunately for me, Mike’s family lives a couple hours away from me in Washington state, so I’ve been able to see them periodically through the years, and they have been personally helpful and supportive of me on numerous occasions.
I know Mike has had a stellar career in EOD and in the private sector also, but I just wanted to comment that he’s a stand-up guy in his personal life also. I’m still in a bit of denial about losing this guy who was so full of life and laughter.
Mike and I always shared a bond in modifying cars. He came to Arizona to have his Cobra built and took me out to dinner and we talked about cars and life. He had plenty going on and we hadn’t seen eachother since I was just a little kid but he took time out of his day to spend time with me. I always planned on meeting up with him the next town he was in town and showing him my latest car build. He will be missed. My condolences to the family for such a loss
Mike was my cousin. The last time I saw him, he was under age 10. I’m sad to hear of his death, but have enjoyed reading all the comments and getting to know him. My heart hurts for his family and Aunt Betsy Ann. I pray peace and comfort for all of them.