Howard "Howdy" Mathiasen

Howard Fredric Mathiasen Obituary

Howard F. Mathiasen, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, stepfather, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully after an illness on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Arvada, Colorado. He was 87 years old.

Howard was born on November 26, 1937, in New York City to Herbert F. Mathiasen and Marion Baldwin. He spent his childhood in Douglaston, Long Island, close to the water, where he enjoyed playing basketball with friends and tending a garden. Every summer, Howard looked forward to traveling to Camp Danmark, the cherished family retreat on Fourth Lake in the Adirondack Mountains, established by his grandparents in the early 1900s. It remained a source of joy, adventure, and deep family connection throughout his life.

Howard found his greatest happiness in nature. His daughter, Kristine recalls treasured cross-country road trips to the lake with her dad, where he spent hours swimming, fishing, and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. He even earned the title of “Camp Boy” and once made $100 in a summer—a point of pride. With the help of his cousin Linda Mathiasen, Howard compiled a heartfelt book of poetry, Mist on the Lake, inspired by his time at Camp Danmark.

He followed in his father’s footsteps by attending the University of Virginia, where he earned his bachelor's degree, and later completed a master's degree at Hofstra University. Education played a central role in Howard’s life, helping forge many meaningful and lasting relationships.

Howard met his first wife, Dolores "Dee" Schettino, at Bayside High School. They married in 1959 and built a life together on Long Island, adopting and raising three children: a son, Eric, who sadly predeceased him in 1998, and two daughters, Kristine and Karen.

Howard began his professional career in banking, commuting to New York City and traveling across the country. He was known for his leadership, professionalism, and ability to build strong business relationships, eventually rising to the position of Senior Vice President by his 40s. He remained active in the banking community and deeply valued the colleagues he met along the way.

A quiet, thoughtful, and spiritual man, Howard had a dry wit that delighted friends and family alike. He enjoyed golf, tennis, hiking, traveling, and his beloved model train collection. He was a loyal friend from boyhood to old age, and his humor—especially appreciated by his wife Jean—was one of his most endearing traits. She often joked, “I never knew Danes could be so funny!”

Life brought Howard both joy and hardship. He endured the devastating loss of Dee and later, his son. In his late 40s, he suffered a debilitating stroke that resulted in memory loss. Despite these challenges, Howard’s resilience and determination carried him forward. After Dee’s passing, he moved with his daughters to Denver, Colorado, where they were lovingly supported by a close friend, Moira, and her family.

Howard later married his second wife, Antoinette "Toni" Tucker, becoming a stepfather to her daughters, Jenny and Kim. For 23 years they were a strong family, celebrating many things together. Though separated later there was still familial love that they shared for each other and Toni remained a part of Kristine’s life.  Howard met his third wife, Jean Evelyn Ayres, in grade school at P.S. 98 in Douglaston, NY. Years later, they reconnected through a family friend. Howard attended Jean’s 60th birthday party and made it a tradition to call her each year on her birthday, always sending a humorous card. Their friendship blossomed into romance at age 73, and they married in 2012 when they were both 75. They shared nearly 13 joyful years of marriage, traveling together to Sanibel Island, FL, Barbados, Tucson, AZ, and up and down the East Coast. They took daily walks, shared plenty of laughter, and were affectionately known as the “lovebirds” for their constant hand-holding and mutual devotion. Along with Jean she had her children, Ben and Caroline Soares and Stuart Glover who loved Howard dearly. 

Howard leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and quiet strength. His life touched many, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Howard is survived by his wife, Jean Ayres Mathiasen; his beloved daughter, Kristine Mathiasen and her husband Adam; grandchildren Kyle and Abby Mathiasen; and his daughter Karen Mathiasen. Howard is survived by the large, extended Mathiasen family including all his beloved nephews, nieces, cousins and dear friends.

Please plant a tree or spend time outdoors in nature to honor Howard F. Mathiasen’s life and legacy. May his life be for a blessing. Godspeed to the man we all loved. 

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Howdy loved to talk about the many summers he spent at Camp Danmark - actually every summer (but one) of his whole life, until a few years ago. When he was a teenager, he was appointed camp boy for the whole summer. For instance he would have to raise and lower the two flags. For being “camp boy” he was paid the grand sum of 100 dollars. His best friend at camp was Dick, who had a boat so they would go sailing on fourth lake together and also fishing. However one day they were having a (rare) argument which turned into a yelling match. As they were getting ready to exchange blows, one of their aunts knocked on the door of the captain's cabin, and she was holding a HUGE PIE, just baked and still warm from the oven. The aunt had sliced the pie in half!!! She put the pie on a table and left, commenting that maybe they could help her dispose of the pie. Howdy said he and Dick looked at each other for a minute or so then each one grabbed his half of the pie, forgot what they were arguing about and gobbled up their half of the delicious pie immediately. After he told me this story, he had the biggest grin on his face. He’d always comment about not knowing until this incident how smart his aunt was.

                                                                                                                  ~Jean Mathiasen

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I struggled to know what to write, even as someone who does it all the time. It feels like if I write down my memories of my dad there's a finality to it. I wrote a poem, which I think my dad would love. 

AUTUMN

You will not smile for a while

The pain will cripple you

Your heart will tear itself to pieces 

And the questions will outweigh the answers

Grief is a powerful wave that pulls you under

Holds you down

And threatens to drown you

You will rage against the world

Rage against the one who left

And still be lost in the emptiness that has been left behind

The space in your life will not be filled 

And peace will be illusive

Death claims us all

Those left behind have no choice but to feel 

Everything...

                                                                                                         ~Kristine Mathiasen

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My Beautiful Memories of My Dad, oh Dear so Many!

Where should I start…

1. Camp denmark
   1. Riding the trailer down the driveway
   2. Learning how to swim, canoe, ski
   3. Boating license, roe boat, kayak, sailboat, bonfires at 13 years old
   4. How lucky and blessed I am
2. Atlanta, Georgia
   1. I took dad on my motorcycle = Yes he was my passenger = Not easy. We named him = sideways
3. Colorado
   1. We went to a free jazz music festival with a picnic in the park
   2. Shopping/lunch
   3. Sleeping over at Dad and Jeans house
   4. Driving cross country in a 24ft truck - Me and Dad - So many conversations

I will end this with a quote that dad and I will know what it means…well maybe not a quote = a word

“What”

                                                                                                                ~Karen Mathiasen