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Joseph Mathewson Obituary

Joseph Oscar Mathewson, Jr. 86, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2010 in Sonoma, CA with his family by his side. Joseph was born on April 9, 1924 in Atlanta, Georgia to Joseph Oscar and Eleanor Mathewson. He was a graduate of Mission High School in San Francisco with the Class of 1942 and was a veteran of WWII with the United States Navy. Joseph belonged to the San Francisco Masonic Temple, was a member of the Richardson Bay Yacht Club, and was an avid golfer at Northwood Golf Course in Monte Rio. For a number of years, he was the South San Francisco Planning Commissioner who also had a fondness for planes and flight simulators. To show his support to his grandchildren, A.J. and Katie, Joe was a dedicated fan and regular supporter of the Valley of the Moon Little League and the Blue Jays baseball team, and also the Sonoma Valley Girl's Softball League. Once of his greatest passions was his annual trip to Maui with his wife Barbara. Joseph is survived by his wife of 59 years, Barbara Sheldon Mathewson, of Sonoma; his daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Joe Vitorelo, of Sonoma; and his grandchildren Katherine Ann "Katie" and Anthony Joseph "A.J." Vitorelo. A celebration of his life is being planned for a later date at his daughter Sandy's residence. Memorial donations in Joseph's honor can be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Sonoma County Unit, 1451 Guerneville Road, Suite 220, Santa Rosa, California 95403. For further information, please call Duggan's Mission Chapel (525 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 94576) at (707) 996-3655 or visit www.duggansmissionchapel.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Dec. 11 to Dec. 12, 2010.

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gene mullin

December 30, 2010

I served with Joe on the SSF Planning Commission in the '70's and learned from him in my political journey, which went from Mayor of SSF to the State of California legislature until 2008. He was an influence on me, and my condolences to his family

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