Vincent (Vince) Mathew, 90, of Lake Placid, died Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Sebring, surrounded by his family.

Born Jan. 19, 1922, in Wolcott, Ind., he was the second of six children of Clarence and Melina (Trongeau) Mathew. He was predeceased by his high school sweetheart and wife of 67 years, Dorothy Mae (Fields); son Steve, grandson Chad; and a brother, Laverne.

Mr. Mathew attended Sacred Heart grade school in Remington, Ind., and graduated from Wolcott High School in 1941. He worked in a furniture factory for a time, but knew his true love was the dairy, so he joined his dad on the family farm. He eventually took over the dairy and later was partners with son, Dennis, and daughter-in-law Millie. He was a pioneer of many innovative farming techniques that later became commonplace. Although dairy farming was Mr. Mathew’s passion, he also sold livestock supplements and feed, seed corn and soil conditioner. He sold refrigerators and food plans with freezers. He even sold life insurance.

Mr. Mathew and wife, Dorothy, wintered in Lake Placid for many years before retiring to Leisure Lakes in 1987. At age 62, Vince learned to play that “ridiculous game” of golf. He became a member of Lake June West Golf Club where he recorded five holes in one. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church, Council #7245 Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge #2661 and the Loyal Order of Moose #2374; all in Lake Placid.

After Dorothy’s death, Mr. Mathew met and fell in love with Charlotte. They were married at St. James Catholic Church in Lake Placid, on Jan. 24, 2009.

In addition to his wife, Charlotte, Mr. Mathew is survived by three daughters, Janet (Pat) Murphy and Carolyn (Robert) Vogel of The Villages and Nancy (Gale) Klopfenstein of Green Cove Springs; two sons, Dennis (Millie) of Wolcott, Ind., and Robert (companion Christine) of Logansport, Ind. He is also survived by Billy (Aura) Brinkey of Tampa and Linda Closi of West Palm Beach; 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Vera (William) Lague, Evelyn McGraw and Velma (Walter) Nagle.

Burial was in Remington Ind. Memorial service for Mr. Mathew will be held at St James Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Saturday with Father Michael Cannon officiating, followed by a luncheon in the church hall.

Contributions to Good Shepherd Hospice, 1110 Hammock Road, Sebring, FL 33870 in Mrr. Mathew’s honor would be appreciated.