Charles Marc Michel Mathelier was born on February 16, 1961 to the Union of Lucien Ernest Mathelier and Marie Therese Fievre-Mathelier in Monrovia, Liberia. On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, he passed away at 3:06 AM from stroke related complications at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY.
Charles was affectionately referred to as “Marc” by his family, friends and fans. Marc was a man with a good heart that was beyond comprehension.
Marc Emigrated from Liberia to Haiti with his siblings when he was 7 years old and received his formal education in Haiti through to the 11th grade, until the death of his mother, Marie Therese Fievre-Mathelier. After the death of his mother, in 1980 Marc and his siblings moved back to Liberia. Shortly after he migrated to Brooklyn, New York where he continued his education and pursued his passion in music. Marc completed his education at Nyack College and had a great career in Analytical Chemistry for over 20 years, working for companies like Johnson and Johnson, Reckitt Benckiser and PDI to name a few.
In 1988, Marc Mathelier married his childhood sweetheart Marie Kathleen Mathelier, where he was a good husband, provider and friend for 33 years. Marc loved his children Stephanie Michelle Mathelier and Cassandra Michelle Mathelier. He was a great father who taught them the meaning of respect, honesty and the value of an education.
As a man who was altruistic, he was always ready to help or support anyone who asked, strangers and family alike. Marc was a true advocate for education and the understanding of one’s history, believing that if all of us knew how beautiful, colorful, resilient and intelligent our ancestors were we would all be empowered to be as great as we should be. He was a firm believer that integrity, honestly, love, knowledge, kindness, respect and family are the true foundations of one’s character. He was a man of great faith in the lord and was a long time member of his hometown church with his family at St. Stephens’s church in Warwick, NY.
Marc was well respected and beloved by his peers in chemistry as well as in the Haitian community. A man of great intelligence, passion and was proud of his heritage. Marc was actively on the Board for the Society for Haitian research founded in 1985 for over 20 years. Marc also was the executive producer for the artistic and cultural segment on Perspectives Haitiennes for 20 years where he interacted with a variety of musicians and educated the community about Haitian culture from a historical standpoint. Marc was celebrated with over 20 awards during his lifetime from the Konbit Neg Lakay, INC.; New York State Assembly, La Societe Haitienne de Recherches (SAR) , The Connecticut Haitian- American Community, Congressional Recognition, Haitian American Parents Association ( HAPA) , Haitian- American Voters and Entrepreneurs, Inc ( HAVEN) and The Connecticut Haitian Voice just to name a few.
Marc was a world-renowned classical guitarist. His mastery of the guitar started when he was eleven years old and was the protégé of the famous Franz Casseus (1919-1993), Father of the Haitian Classical Guitar. Marc has been featured nationally and internationally during his brilliant career. Marc’s Musical legacy lives on with his 4 CD’s; “Apre Midi Anba Tonel” (Afternoon Under the Patio)(1996) ; “Sounds and Legends” (1998), “Souvenir” ( 2011) and his latest, “Nostalgia” ( 2016), which was nominated for The Best Guitar Solo Album in 2016 by the American Guitar Association (AGA).
Charles ‘Marc’ Mathelier departed this life on Wednesday, July 7th 2021. His parents, his older sister Lucienne Mathelier, his older brother Jean Claude Mathelier, his youngest brother Lucian ‘Lulu’ Mathelier and nephew Jason Black preceded him in his passing. He leaves behind to cherish his memory: his wonderful wife Marie Kathleen Mathelier his children Stephanie Michelle Mathelier and Cassandra Michelle Mathelier. His siblings; Jacques Mathelier, Martin Mathelier, Patrick Mathelier, Pierre Mathelier, Ketty Basile, Carole Lafleur, Karen Vilson, Betty Mathelier, Evelynne Mathelier, Henriette Peterson. His Aunt, Sister Rose Andree Fievre (Tante Fifie). His God children; Marlyn Frage, Brianna Mathelier, Maelle Arboite, Ronald Lafleur Mathelier, Gabriella Jean-Louis. His cousins; Marie Monique Mathelier, Mary- Ann Fievre, Ernest Fievre, Linda Pierrot, Ann-Marie Jean-Lord, Fritza Garnes, Mirna Fievre, Natasha Fievre, Patrick Fievre. His nieces and nephews; Tamara Bazile-Botts, Emilie Mathelier, Cara Vilson, Soraya Pingol, Patricia Mathelier, Eric Vilson, Kevon Mathelier, Briana Mathelier, Brendon Black, Alex Mathelier, Allan Mathelier, Jenny Mathelier, Ronald Lafleur, Lumena Fievre, Krystina Mathelier, Megan Mathelier, Kelly Mathelier; Jade Botts, Kaleb Botts, Kamaiah Pingol, Karmelo Pingol, Taurian Vilson, Liyah Peterson and Daniel Peterson. His sister and brother in laws; Michel Vilson, Raymond Bazile, Carlo Lafleur, Denise Mathelier, Maude Lartigue-Mathelier, Giselle Abreu, Rosette Mathelier and countless other family members and friends.
Charles ‘Marc’ Michel Mathelier was a good father, husband, community member, educator and musician who established high standards in his daily life and taught his children the meaning of what it means to be a well-rounded being. After a full and fruitful life, Marc has been called home to meet his maker but left pieces of himself though his advice, activism, love and music. He will forever live in our hearts.
Marc he has been featured nationally and internationally during his brilliant career. He has presented over four hundred fifty performances while providing ever-constant support to a number of non-profit organizations and fundraisers. Additionally, he lends his talent of recording to many film projects and featured documentaries. Besides his first cd in 1996: “Afternoon Under the Patio”; he also release a second cd “Sounds and Legends” in 1998. Marc Mathelier composer have contributed his original music to several poetry projects through the years. Under MAMI Productions in 2011 “Souvenir” a cd project featuring Marc and Award Winning vocalist Michèle Sorel is presented with great success.
His latest project: “Nostalgia” was released in September 2016 to wave reviews and a nomination for Best Guitar Solo Album (2016 ) by the American Guitar Association (A.G.A)
Marc Mathelier is a refreshing alternative to today’s standard performances. His music takes us on romantic and exotic voyages that celebrate Love and Life.
With deepened artistry and incomparable guitar technique Marc’s music transforms. “It’s a State of Mind”. As he tastefully arranges and creates each piece of music Marc successfully maintains an introspective moods throughout his performance. His mastery of the guitar and his variety of styles make him a virtuoso. The exquisite sound of Marc Mathelier captures a distinct spirit of passion. The purity of his playing elevates and suspends listeners leaving them with a lasting impression and a desire to hear more.
A winner of numerous awards, Marc has concertized with taste at Teatro Oficina (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Conservatoire de Montreal (Canada). In the United States he graces many distinguished stages including on New York City Broadway, Carnegie Hall, Berkley Performance Center (Boston, MA) and Daughters of American Revolution Constitution Hall (Washington, DC) and has been featured with the Rockland County Chorale Society.
He has also been presented in Scholarly Lecture Conference and Master Class at several universities namely Syracuse University, New York University and the University of Maryland.
