Peter L. Mathieu Jr.

MATHIEU, PETER L. JR., M.D., 84, of Providence died September 2 at Rhode Island Hospital. Born in Woodstock, Vt. At Deweys Gorge on June 23, 1924, he was the son of the late Pierre and Ida V. (Racine) Mathieu. He was the husband of the late Betty (Burkhardt) Mathieu, MD. Dr. Mathieu was a private pediatrician, director of Pediatrics, an administrator and community activist.

Peter graduated from LaSalle academy in 1942 with a 96.3 Scholastic average. He played piano in the high school orchestra and was an all state lineman in football. He was voted the most valuable national student in Omaha, NE in 1942. He received a bachelor of Science degree in biology from the College of the Holy Cross and was admitted to St Louis University School of Medicine in 1944. While in St Louis he lived in the St Louis City Hospital where he was a night librarian. He also taught anatomy to the students at Washington University Medical School of Mortuary Science. Peter graduated from St Louis University School of Medicine in 1948. Upon graduation he accepted an internship program at Rhode Island Hospital. Following his two year residency program, he served a one year pediatric residency (infectious diseases) program at the Charles V. Chapin Hospital. He then transferred to Boston Childrens Hospital for pediatric residency and fellow in cancer and hematology including service at the House of the Good Samaritan, Beth Israel Hospital and Providence Lying In Hospital.

In 1952 he began private pediatric practice on Waterman Street in Providence, RI with his late wife, Dr. Betty Burkhart Mathieu. Dr. Betty was medical director for the Providence School Department and since Dr. Peter Mathieu was a catholic school physician he helped Dr. Betty with the Catholic children when they became part of the Providence School Department. From August 1953 to August of 1955, Peter served as Captain in the United States Army Medical Corp. he was chief of Pediatrics & Allergy in the 1301st USAH in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Peter was clinical assistant professor at the Brown University School of Medicine. He was a consultant on growth and development and health education at Providence College and Salve Regina College. Peter was also very active in research, having completed several studies and written papers on poliomyelitis, scarlet fever and pemphigus. These are just a few of the many. He developed a broncho dilator apparatus for use in croup, bronchiolitis and severe bronchiola diseases. Dr. Mathieu was medical director of Rhode Island School for the Deaf, Corliss Park for 40 years. Medical Director of St. Vincents Center, St. Aloysius Home and the Tower Hill Camp. Peter was on the active staff, Pediatric Department of Rhode Island Hospital, St Josephs Hospital-Providence unit and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, Woman and Infants Hospital, Pawtucket Memorial Hospital, Roger Williams Hospital, Slater State Hospital. Dr. Mathieu was President of St. Joseph Church Council. He was a founder and board member of First Bank and Trust and First Financial Trust. He was also a member of Providence Rotary. Peter hosted a radio program for children on WPRO for 15 years. He also wrote a newspaper column for the Providence Visitor called Growing Up for 15 years.

Dr. Mathieu's life lead to many honors and appointments such as president of the Rhode Island Medical Society, president of the Providence Medical Society, president of the New England States Medical Society. He served on the national board of the finance Committee in the Academy of Pediatrics. He won the O'Donnell Award for meritorious service to the Catholic Charity Fund.

Dr. Mathieu leaves four daughters, Elizabeth Mathieu, Esq. of Bronxville, New York, Gretchen Mathieu-Hansen, Ph.D. of Glenside, Pennsylvania, Joan Mathieu-Tate Esq. of Providence, RI and Amy Mathieu-Deck of Tacoma, Washington. Dr. Mathieu also leaves seven grandchildren: Alexandria Hansen, Gerald (Quaid) Hansen, Chelsea Tate, Justin Tate, Mathieu Deck, Madison Deck and Sedona Deck. Dr. Mathieu leaves many nieces and nephews, among them are Jane McMahon, Peter Mathieu, Esq., Robert Mathieu, Patricia Leeman and Susan Leonard. He also leaves Sister-in-law Jane (Corley) Mathieu, the wife of Dr. Mathieus brother, the late Robert Mathieu.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 10am in St Joseph Church, Hope St., Providence. Burial will be in St Francis cemetery, Wakefield. Donations in his memory may be made to the Catholic Charity Fund, 1 Cathedral Square, Providence, R.I. 02903. Condolences may be left at monahandrabblesherman.com