William Philip Matthews

William Philip Matthews, age 93 of Vero Beach, FL and Brewster, MA died peacefully surrounded by his family on December 21, 2018 after a prolonged fight with cancer.

Bill was born in Yonkers, New York in January 1925 to Philip Matthews and Catherine Harrington, and married Eleanor Irene Herald in October 1955. He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings James, Philip and AnnMarie.

In 1942, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. He qualified for the V-12 Program, allowing him and a large number of officers to attend classes across an array of notable institutions to meet the demands of WWII. Beginning his educational journey at Hobart College, he continued on to Columbia’s Midshipmen’s School before arriving at Harvard University to study communication. Bill’s service began in New York City, where he started his officer training. From there, he traveled to San Francisco, Pearl Harbor, Johnson Island, Kwajalein Island where he was then stationed on Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

Bill continued his service after the War in the Navy Reserves and was promoted to Lieutenant JG while completing his bachelor’s degree at Manhattan College.

Bill and Irene raised their five children in Yonkers, Hastings on Hudson, and Waccabuc, New York. Bill spent his later years enjoying time between Cape Cod and Florida. He remained active by playing golf, tennis and spending as much time as he could with his children and grandchildren. His wife of 63 years, Irene and devoted children Elizabeth Loper-Jones (husband Daniel Jones of Greenwich, CT), Virginia Newman (husband Scott Newman of Alpharetta, GA), Kathleen Oelschlager (husband Thomas Oelschlager of Beaufort, SC), Sheila Gallo of Westport, CT and William P. Matthews Jr. of Rye NY all survive him. His 7 grandchildren Michael, Kierstin, Melissa, Matthew, Daniel, Joseph and Nicholas, and his great-grandchildren James and Penelope also survive Bill.

Bill had a distinguished 37 year career with The Equitable Life Insurance Company and served as Vice President of the Pension Division. After his retirement he ran his own consulting company, GIC Management Company. Bill was an active member in his communities volunteering in a number of roles including finance officer on one of the Hastings-on-Hudson school boards; treasure, vice president, and president in his condominium communities; and served on the board of AbleChild since its inception.

Funeral Details: Saint Sebastian Catholic Church, 13075 U.S. 1, Sebastian, Florida on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 10:00 AM. A spring burial mass will be held in Brewster, MA.