Rick Joseph Mathys
Rick Joseph Mathys
GREEN BAY, Wis. — With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to our dad, Rick Mathys, who passed away on March 18, 2025. Born July 10, 1951 in Green Bay, Wis., he was the oldest child of John “Jack” and Vivian (Boyere) Mathys. He grew up in the city of Green Bay, with his four sisters – Vicky (Larry) Vandenbush, Linda (Dallas) Heinz, Terry Linssen, and Kathy (Dick) Vandevelden – and one brother – Jim (Kris) Mathys – just a few blocks from Lambeau Field. As a graduate from West High School in 1969, he built a life filled with love, adventure, and unwavering commitment to his family and support for the greater community of Green Bay.
Our dad married our mom, Sue (Lahaie) Mathys, on June 25, 1977, and together they created a beautiful home, physically built by him in Suamico, Wisconsin and collectively grown together through their dedication and encouragement as parents. Mom and Dad, together in their early years of marriage, enjoyed entertaining family and friends at their home and at the cottage that they built together on a small private lake in Northern Wisconsin. Through the years, their busy lives lead them to trips across the Midwest for soccer and basketball tournaments, summer weekends at the lake, and evenings in the entertainment-filled backyard. As years progressed, so did Dad’s medical needs, with Mom dedicating over 15 years as his primary caregiver, forgoing much of her own interests to be fully committed to improving his quality of life. It was truly a labor of love. Much of their time over the last five years was spent building their life in retirement on the shores of Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula, as they say, “God’s Country.” They shared over 47 years of marriage together and have given us – Heather (Mike) Mathers and Holly (Dan) Faust – a strong foundation in which to grow and expand our own families as adults.
As a craftsman by trade, Rick established his own paint contracting company, employing many family members and friends and growing the organization to support reputable builders and homeowners in the Green Bay community, leaving behind a legacy of beautifully painted homes and friendships. At any given opportunity, and this was often, a ride through the city streets with Dad would leave his passengers greatly informed of the color, cost, and scope of project for random houses throughout the greater Brown County area.
Dad, who found his happiness in nature, was a man of quiet strength and wisdom, the kind of person who could fix anything, teach you how to bait a hook, or guide you through the woods with patience and care. He passed on his deep love for hunting and fishing to his five grandsons – Broderick (16), Trey (13), Channing (10), Everett (8), and Pierson (5) – teaching them the beauty of nature and the importance of slowing down to appreciate it. He wasn’t just a father and papa — he was our teacher and our storyteller. He raised his daughters to be independent and family-centered and appreciated his grandsons as the sons he always wanted. Everyone who witnessed his interactions with the boys could see his eyes visibly twinkling with love.
To know Dad was to know a deep-seeded kindness, light-hearted humor, and unwavering loyalty. He made friends wherever he went, always ready to lend a hand or share a story. He had a way of making people feel at ease, whether it was with a paintbrush in hand, fishing the open waters, or sitting in a tree waiting for the next big buck. Much of his time and energy went towards supporting others in their similar passions that he possessed – taking others on fishing expeditions, walking a friend’s grandson through the woods, or offering his expertise on a neighbor’s home project.
Our hearts are broken, for pancreatic cancer took Dad from us quickly, but we find comfort in knowing he is at peace, likely casting a line in the clearest waters or walking through the most serene woods. His legacy lives on in us, in his daughters, in his son-in-laws, in his grandsons, in his extended family, in his lifetime of friendships, and in every sunrise on the crest of the horizon or sunset darkening the water out his window on the shores of Lake Michigan.
In his dying days, know that love and friendship filled our home. While his prognosis was devastating, he was able to live his final weeks to the fullest, receiving visitors from all decades and milestones of his life – sharing stories, laughing, crying, reflecting, and perhaps even smoking an authentic Cuban cigar. What a bittersweet ending to have – to be able to hear, see, and feel the impact you had and reciprocate that love to others.
In the midst of sadness, Dad was blessed by beautifully trained and heart-filled caregivers who swooped in and guided us all in the hardest days. We would like to thank Lori, whom he called his angel on earth, for the care, compassion, and comfort she provided to us, Mom, and our loved ones as we navigated his terminal illness. Additionally, our deepest thanks go out to Brittany and Melissa and the immediate support they offered in the final hours.
A Celebration of Life will be held on April 13, 2025, with an Open Visitation and Reflection from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (EST) and the Remembrance Service and luncheon to follow at Terrace Bay Hotel & Event Center in Escanaba, Mich. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted by the family to support two non-profit organizations: Take Em’ Outdoors of Green Bay and Lakestate Industries of Delta County, as Dad would have wanted.
The family is being assisted by the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone, Mich. To leave a message of condolence, go to www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.