By Jeff Lipton
He was 92 years old.
Matheis, who was affectionately known as "Deacon Phil" to St. Brigid's parishioners, passed away at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip after a lengthy illness.
He was part of the first ordination class of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, and was ordained to the permanent diaconate on June 9, 1979 by Bishop John R. McGann.
Even prior to his ordination, he was involved in many parish activities, including lector, usher and parish fundraising. Deacon Matheis was known as "an extremely giving person," regularly visiting the A. Holly Patterson Home for the Elderly in Uniondale, which he continued to do after his ordination.
His ministry at St. Brigid's included officiating at marriages, Baptisms, wakes and funerals, and he was sought after by those wishing to take instruction in the Catholic faith.
"He was certainly a dynamic personality in the community," said Father Ralph Sommer, pastor at St. Brigid's. "He was a man of deep prayer, but he also had a great sense of humor. He gave very faithful service to the church."
Matheis became deacon emeritus after he retired as deacon several years ago. Matheis also worked in the real estate mortgage industry, and after his retirement from that, Deacon Matheis served daily at the 7 a.m. Mass and at all funeral Masses.
In his youth, he was an amateur boxer for Golden Gloves and played semi-pro baseball.
"He had a love of sports all his life," said Deacon Jim Morris, who was an ordination classmate of Matheis and also ministers at St. Brigid's. During World War II, Matheis served in the Pacific Theater as a first sergeant in the U.S. Army, for which he received the Silver Star and three Purple Hearts for being wounded in action.
He was a Fourth Degree Knight and served as a chaplain for the Knights of Columbus. "He was primarily a man of prayer," said Deacon Morris. "He was a person for others.
"Even at the age of 92, he was as sharp as a tack," Morris added. "He was the most quick-witted person I ever met."
Deacon Matheis studied at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington in 1977.
"He loved all the priests, with whom he had a great relationship," said Morris.
Deacon Matheis was predeceased by his wife Doris. He is survived by a daughter Patricia Ann McAssey and her husband John; sons Felix J., Jr., and his wife Christine, James L., and Peter and his wife Francine; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Kaitlyn Elyse.
The Mass of Christian Burial took place at St. Brigid's, at 50 Post Ave., in Westbury, on Saturday. Interment followed at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to St. Brigid's Parish Outreach, 75 Post Ave., Westbury, NY 11590.
