It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donald “Don” J. Matthews, Trustee Emeritus of the Mercy College Board of Trustees. He passed away on June 5 in Los Angeles.
Don served on Mercy’s Board from 2006-2015 at which time he became a Trustee Emeritus. He served on numerous board committees during his tenure as a Mercy Trustee including the Development Committee, Endowment Management Committee, and the PACT Advisory Board.
Shortly after graduating from Notre Dame in 1955, he worked for the family business, Universal Maritime, and quickly became president. He later began a long career with Johnson & Higgins, the largest privately held insurance brokerage and benefit consulting firm in the world. After retiring from Johnson & Higgins, he co-founded and served as president of American Capital Access Holdings, a financial guarantee insurance company.
Matthews was an accomplished sailor who served on the crew of two America’s Cup yachts, one of which, the Weatherly, won in 1962.
In addition to serving on Mercy’s Board, he also served as a trustee for United Hospital, Port Chester, NY, Presbyterian Hospital, Dallas, TX, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, National Association of Stevedores and his alma mater University of Notre Dame.
He is survived by his four children: Therese Matthews Edwards, Kathryn Matthews, Brian Matthews and Sharon Matthews, who established the Donald J. Matthews Endowed Scholarship Fund at Mercy College in 2020 in honor of their father.
Arrangements are pending. Donations can be made to the Donald J. Matthews Endowed Scholarship Fund at www.mercy.edu/donaldmatthews.
The Mercy College community extends its deepest condolences to Don’s family, friends and colleagues.