Brick Alley Employee Featured on Magazine Cover Before Death

The Portsmouth fisherman who  was a beloved employee at a well-known Newport eatery. 

Gary Mathias, 48, served as the chef and kitchen manager at the  on Thames Street.

"It's a devastating loss for all of us," said Brick Alley manager Tina Simpson. 

Simpson said the owners of Brick Alley were "flying in" this afternoon to speak with staff at the restaurant. Employees were also visiting and paying their condolences to family members. 

Mathias was featured this week on the cover of Mercury. The edition highlights Newport's Restaurant Week, which takes place from Nov. 4 to 13. 

Mathias' photograph is on the cover along with Chefs Jake Rojas of Tallulah on Thames and Sue Zinno-Slagle of Spark. 

Mathias' death remains under investigation.