Stratford loses tireless community servant | Stuff.co.nz

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Brick Mathieson died aged 82

One of Stratford's tireless community servants will be farewelled on Thursday.

Former three-term district councillor Brick Mathieson died in his sleep on Saturday morning at his Stratford home, aged 82.

Son Richard Mathieson said his father had recently had a heart attack and was taken to Taranaki Base Hospital before being transferred to Waikato.

He had returned home last Thursday after 11 days' treatment.

In July he was a recipient of a Stratford Citizens Award for community service, with Stratford District Council changing the eligibility rules to allow the former councillor to receive it.

Before his recent health problems Mr Mathieson was known for his energetic dedication to many Stratford and Taranaki organisations.

That included more than 40 years involvement with St Mary's School on the board of governors, board of trustees and board of proprietors and bishop's nominee.

He helped establish the Stratford Squash Club and was a founding member of Percy Thomson Trust and the Stratford Positive Ageing Group.

Mr Mathieson was also involved with Stratford Foodbank, a longtime trustee on the Taranaki Electricity Trust Board, chairman of the Stratford Palliative Care Group and deputy chairman of the Stratford Health Trust.

Stratford Golf Club's flag was at half mast on Saturday for the long-time member.

Mr Mathieson served as a councillor from 1998 to 2007.

Son Richard said after his father's retirement as a stock buyer in his late 50s he really got into community work.

"Walking down the street with him . . . honestly, it took ages - he was always chatting to people. He enjoyed the community and loved the people. He had a great life here."

Stratford Mayor Neil Volzke offered condolences to the family and said Mr Mathieson's cheerful personality would be missed.

"Brick was a very colourful character who had a huge commitment and passion for this community."

Born in Oamaru, Mr Mathieson came to the North Island as a stock buyer in his 20s and met his future wife - moving around the North Island before settling with his family in Stratford in 1963.

"He did a huge amount for the community but his family came first, he encouraged us and did everything he possibly could to help us to pursue the directions we wanted to go in," Richard Mathieson said.

The service will be held at noon on Thursday at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Stratford.

Mr Mathieson is survived by his wife, Alys, his two children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

- ? Fairfax NZ News

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/7785746/Stratford-loses-tireless-community-servant

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