Howard Whiting Mather

MATHER, HOWARD W Howard Whiting Mather, husband of Mary-Ann (Urban) Mather, passed away on Wednesday April 13, 2011. Born in West Haven on November 15, 1929 he was the son of the late Walter and Winnifred (Whiting) Mather. He attended North Haven Schools, Lyman Hall High School, Middlesex Community College, Southern CT State University and Quinnipiac University. Howard was a 7 year veteran of the United States Navy proudly serving in the Pacific Theater during WWII and the Korean War receiving numerous commendations and medals for his service. He owned and operated A-1 & G&H property maintenance companies and worked for the New Haven Pulp and Board Company and the Meriden and Glastonbury Boards of Education. Howard was an officer of the Pulaski Democratic Club, a member of the Meriden Democratic Club, the Connecticut Association of Parking Commissions and Chairman of the Meriden Parking Commission. An avid golfer, he was a member of Hunter Golf Club, Plainfield, MA Golf Club and kept in practice in Cape Cod and Myrtle Beach, SC. Howard was a devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, Hartford Whalers, NY Rangers, NY Giants and the New England Patriots. He enjoyed music, dancing and was often the first and last person on the dance floor. Howard traveled extensively, videotaping tombs, temples and art museums throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Egypt, Greece, Italy, England, Scotland, Wales, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Holland and France. He lovingly devoted himself to his role of husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Howard is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary-Ann (Urban) Mather; three sons: Kurt Mather Sr. and his wife Lynn of Meriden, Daniel Mather of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Richard Mather and his wife Grace of Southington; three daughters: Alexandra McCune of Groton, Lisa Frank and her husband Dr. Matthew Frank of Freeville, NY and Rosemary Carminati and her husband Vinnie of Dayville, CT; six grandsons: Kurt Mather Jr. and his wife Vanessa of Wallingford, Nathaniel Peterson of New London, Robert Mather of Wallingford, Mark Mather of West Haven and Michael Carminati of Dayville, CT; five granddaughters: Atty. Kathy Lane and her husband Wally of Long Beach, NY, Sgt. Vanessa McCune of the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, Michelle Mather of North Haven, Natalie Carminati of Dayville, CT and Sylvia Murzyn and her husband Jessie of Southington; five great grandchildren: Wally, Grace and Michael Lane and Kaitlyn and Breanna Mather; two brothers-in-law: Walter Urban of Delray Beach, FL and John Urban and his wife Nora of Surprise, AZ; a sister-in-law Roberta Mather of Durham; an uncle Steve Cichon of Meriden; an aunt, Helen Burdacki of Meriden and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends especially his friend and "brother" Ramon Medina and his wife Elena. He was predeceased by his brother Walter Mather, Jr. Family and friends are invited to attend his graveside service with military honors on Tuesday April 19, 2011 at 9:45 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, 310 Ann St., Meriden, CT 06450. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden. To send an online expression of sympathy please visit www.nhregister.com.