Charles T. Matthews ’47

During World War II, Charlie was an ensign aboard a minesweeper tender in the Pacific. He joined us in ’46, graduated in ’48, and then graduated from Harvard Law School in ’51. He married his beloved Maureen Metcalf in ’54 and in due course they had three children.

Charlie began his legal career in a distinguished New York City law firm, but ties to his hometown (Cold Spring Harbor) and Suffolk County, N.Y., soon led him to an association with Congressman Stuyvesant Wainwright and then to a partnership with a small firm in Huntington, N.Y. As a “country lawyer” (Charlie’s term) he enjoyed a very diverse, busy practice representing municipalities and small businesses.  

He participated in many civic activities and made forays into Suffolk County politics — including a run for district attorney. Alas, Democrats were, at that point, doomed to lose elections.

Charlie enjoyed sailboat cruising, races to Bermuda, and trips along the Atlantic coast. He was active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and taught marine safety and seamanship.