A simple man, a humble man, an animal lover, a cat whisperer, an entrepreneur, a first-rate mechanic, a do-it-yourselfer, an artisan, a good husband, father and family man. These are just a few terms that can describe Claude Andrea Matheson who most people knew as Andy. He was born in Jacksonville on July 5, 1954 and moved to the wilds of Clay County on Doctors Lake with his Dad, Mom and two older brothers at the young age of 3 months old. And he never left. Andy attended local public schools in Orange Park and Northeast Clay County. He enjoyed playing football at Orange Park High School and graduated with the class of 1972. That followed with taking classes at Florida Junior College and working various jobs including for the company, Southern Ornamental Cast Stone, that was started by his namesake grandfather, Andrea Pedroni. In 1979, he and his brother, Arnold, decided to open an auto repair business, A & A Garage. That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Hook. Several years later, Andy and Arnold bought Orange Park Garage which they named A & A Orange Park Garage. This successful business is still open after moving to Fleming Island 25 years ago. Meanwhile, Andy enjoyed improving and maintaining the house he built with Mary. In 1992 they had their only child, Sabrina Andrea, who grew up on the same lake he did. He enjoyed arranging flowers for his wife and teaching his daughter how to use any tool from his garage workbench. He spent the work week at the shop and evenings and weekends at home with his wife and daughter, working on home projects, including the hand painted backsplash in his kitchen. He loved seeing his wife and daughter, “his girls,” succeed – his wife in the workplace and his daughter in school, including graduating from his favorite school, Florida State. As he grew older, he slowed down a bit, reconnected with his oldest brother, Ed, and generally enjoyed his life. It’s with great sorrow that it was cut short and he passed away on July 25, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife, daughter, son-in law, brothers, cousins, sisters-in law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. His only grandchild, Chase Ryan Stuhl, predeceased him. Andy help the great grand parents take care of Chase in the hereafter. Services were held at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL. The service was followed by a Celebration of Life at the Orange Park Woman’s Club, 130 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL. Dress was casual. Andy was an FSU fan so they said to feel free to wear Seminole apparel. In lieu of flowers, pay it forward.
