Born on Feb. 21, 1922, John Prendergast Matheu ’44 was raised in San Francisco, the third of Katherine and John P. Matheu’s four children. He attended St. Brigid Elementary School, St. Ignatius High School, and SCU, where he was a quarterback on the football team and a rower. His college education was interrupted by World War II, during which he served his country as an aerial observer in the 11th Armored Division of General Patton’s army in Europe. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and was present at the liberation of the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp. On his return to the U.S., he completed his degree at Santa Clara and shortly thereafter met the love of his life, Helen France, whom he married in 1948. Their daughter, Kathleen, was born the following year. John joined Pfizer in sales and marketing, and the family moved to Los Angeles, where daughters Christine and Rochelle were born, and then to Chicago, where daughter Jeanine was born. Their final move in 1959 was to Short Hills, New Jersey. John worked at Pfizer headquarters in Manhattan, New York, as national sales manager and was then named vice president of the pfipharmecs division in 1973. After 35 years, he retired from Pfizer and started his own consulting business in the pharmaceutical and medical device field, developing a number of startup companies, including Puri-Tek, and partnering with like-minded colleagues who became lasting friends. He was involved with his own business for over 30 years, working up until the last year of his life. He loved the challenge and camaraderie his work gave to him. John and Helen spent 66 loving years together, raising their family, enjoying the company of their grandchildren, traveling, hosting innumerable family celebrations, and attending cultural events in the region. John happily served as patriarch of the family, always advocating the great importance of family to one’s well-being. He was loved by his family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues for his generosity of spirit, his storytelling, his fine cooking, his sense of humor, and his great fortitude. John passed away peacefully on Feb. 9, 2018 at 95 years old. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Helen, his daughter Rochelle Matheu Dempsey, his sisters Maureen Matheu and Patricia Stamps (Al), and his sons-in-law William Cohen, Kevin Gaynor, and Scott Boyll. He is survived by his sister, Eleanor Matheu, his daughters Kathleen Gaynor, Christine Matheu, and Jeanine Boyll; his stepson Brant Miller (Lila); son-in-law Thomas Dempsey; and his grandchildren Jillian Dempsey (Alex), Elizabeth Dempsey, Scott Dempsey, and Laurel Cohen; and his great-grandson, Orin Matheu Dempsey Miller.