Dennis B. Mattison

1930 - 2025

Dennis B. Mattison
January 24, 1930 - April 14, 2025
Dennis B. Mattison, 95, slipped peacefully from this life into the arms of Jesus on April 14, 2025. He was a longtime resident of Milford, CT, and spent the last seven years as a resident of Panama City, FL.
He was born January 24, 1930, in Windham, VT, to Rodney Dennis, and Greta Caroline (Bridgeo) Mattison.
Dennis grew up in a farming family, raising and riding work horses, tending dairy cows, and harvesting strawberries from local fields. He left the farm to join the United States Army (Air Borne) in 1951, during the Korean War. Dennis, Private First Class, was a trained paratrooper who was proud of perfecting the parachute landing fall.
He met and married his sweetheart, Charlotte (Jeffes) Mattison, in 1956, and the two left their home state of New York to make a new life together in Connecticut. Dennis put himself through Bridgeport Engineering Institute (now Fairfield University School of Engineering and Computing). He graduated with his associate's degree in 1964. He enjoyed a combined 30-year career with AVCO Lycoming Division and Sikorsky Aircraft in both process and manufacturing engineering roles. During his time as an engineer, he invented a part-and the machine that manufactured it-for military helicopters to make piloting smoother and safer.
Dennis was an avid reader, with great interest in how things work. Watching documentaries, gardening, and woodworking were among his favorite hobbies. Everyone he met became his friend.
Dennis was a 57-year member of Ansantawae Lodge #89 AF&AM of Milford, CT, and a longtime member of Connecticut York Rite College No. 17, Housatonic Chapter No. 13, R.A.M. of Stratford, and Hamilton Commandery No. 5 Knights Templar of Stratford. He also served as a longtime advisor of Milford Chapter Order of DeMolay and Milford Assembly International Order of Rainbow for Girls.
A life well-lived, a man well-loved, Dennis will be missed greatly by his family and many friends. With a touch to the cheek, a pat on the shoulder, or a tug of the hair, Dennis' gentle presence provided instant comfort. Now is his time to rest and eternally "play relax".
Dennis was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Charlotte (Jeffes) Mattison; son, Timothy Edward Mattison; brothers, William Mattison and Rodney Mattison Jr.; sisters, Phyllis (Mattison) Dunn, and Iona (Mattison) Salisburg; and his parents.
He was a wonderful father to four children and is survived by his daughters, Pamela Murphy, Patricia (Timothy) Smith, and Paula Shea; seven grandchildren, Scott (Debora) Smith, Megan (Blake) Whitelaw, Samantha (Zachary) Rose, Dennis Shea Jr., Brittany Murphy, Sydney Smith, and Cassiopeia Adams; and four great-grandchildren, Lydia Jean, Killian Lee, and Orion Lee Smith, and Elayna Rose McCullers. He is survived also by his loving sisters, Margeurite Mattison, Anita Geier, and Harriet (Robert) Canastra.
A memorial service will be held in Dennis' honor at 10 a.m., Friday, May 30, 2025, at Ansantawae Lodge No. 89, 59 Broad Street, Milford, CT. He will rest peacefully at St. Mary's Cemetery, with his wife and son.
Rest in peace, Dad, Papa, Dennis. Bye for now.