Greg Matheson, general manager of the City Club of Wilmington, passed away unexpectedly March 19.

Matheson, who was 53, leaves behind his wife, Courtney Matheson, and his son, Hendrix. The cause of his death was not released.

Matheson began working at the City Club the day it opened in 1997, according to managing partner Jonathan Weiss.

Weiss said Matheson had an uncanny ability to remember names and faces, as well as his customer’s beverage of choice.

“When I came to look at buying the club in 2007, I came in to the bar as a guest,” Weiss said. “When I returned several months later, Greg was once again behind the bar and not only greeted me as Mr. Weiss, but offered me a Napa cabernet.”

Weiss said that while Matheson was known around town for his skills as a mixologist, having worked at several other downtown establishments such as the Goat & Compass, Duck & Dive and more recently the now closed Tails Piano Bar, he was also a historian, with a vast knowledge of the history of Wilmington and beyond.

“He was a hard-working guy who was really well-versed on a wide variety of topics,” Weiss said.

Weiss also noted that prior to meeting Matheson he had no idea that Facebook caps the number of friends a person can have at 5,000.

Weiss said that pretty much ever since Matheson joined the social media site, he has had to remove about 50 or so inactive friends a month in order to accept new friend requests.

Weiss has set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for Matheson’s family, and is also working to set up a trust for donations that have been made outside of the campaign.

“I feel some responsibility to make sure his family is looked after,” Weiss said. “The outpouring has been incredible. We’ve received thousands of phone calls, texts and posts from those who knew and loved Greg.”

A private memorial service for family members will be held at the City Club this week, followed by a public gathering at the Goat & Compass on Saturday. The City Club will also hold a memorial celebration for members and friends April 25.
 
For more information on the GoFundMe campaign for Courtney and Hendrix Matheson is available online. 
 
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