Jay Mathy

Jay John Mathy passed away peacefully at his home in Alpine, California, on February 15, 2025, surrounded by loved ones after a brief battle with cancer. Born on July 11, 1947, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to Mildred Winifred Fischer and John George Mathy, he was preceded in death by his parents and his older sister, Karen. At the age of two, Jay's family relocated to San Diego, where he grew up in Hillcrest and built lifelong friendships throughout the city.

From an early age, Jay displayed a natural mechanical aptitude. He graduated from San Diego High School in 1965 while also pursuing vocational studies at San Diego City College. His career began at Humphreys Inc., a gyroscope and electronics component manufacturer, where he worked as a machinist and refined his engineering expertise. Determined to forge his own path, he established Mathy Machine in 1975 after several years of machining parts from his home garage. Over nearly five decades, his company grew into a premier CNC machine shop supplying precision-machined components for aerospace, automotive, medical, and military industries across Southern California. A meticulous craftsman with an eye for detail, Jay took immense pride in his work and credited his employees for the company's success.

Beyond his professional achievements, Jay cherished time with family. He is survived by his loving wife, Violet Bassett-Mathy; his sons, Kevin and Bryan; and six grandchildren. He and Violet shared a passion for travel-exploring bustling cities like New York and London, embarking on road trips through the American West in their motorhome, and enjoying numerous cruises to destinations in the Caribbean, Alaska, and beyond. They cherished the friendships they made along the way and always looked forward to their next adventure.

At home, Jay's garage workshop was his domain. The constant hum of machines and the sound of metal being worked filled the air, whether he was tackling small projects, assisting friends with projects, or simply relaxing. When he needed to truly unwind, he found a different kind of peace outside, quietly observing the backyard birds and other creatures he diligently fed.

A private service will be held, with a celebration of life to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Cats (friendsofcats.org) in honor of Jay's love for animals. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.