Erwin Mattison

February 7, 1928 — August 6, 2024

Mr. Erwin F. “Smokey” Mattison, 96, a lifelong resident of Bennington, died peacefully during the early morning hours of August 6, at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center following a brief illness.

Born on February 7, 1928, he was the son of the late Wallace E. and Effie Belle (Cross) Mattison. He was educated in the Bennington school system.

Erwin married the love of his life, the late Dorothy (Montgomery), on September 20, 1947. They built a wonderful life together, raising six children, and enjoying 22 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Erwin joined the United States Army in 1946. He was honorably discharged in 1947, and later served in the National Guard from 1948-1952. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant First Class. He was proud to have served his country and enjoyed recalling his military memories.

After the Army, Erwin worked for Morse Construction, Pizzano Construction, and eventually owned his own business, Mattison Construction. He was a gifted mason, builder, and craftsman. Aside from the many homes and offices that he built throughout the area, he also built two camps for his family: a lake house in Shoreham (Little Bennington) on the shore of Champlain, and a hunting cabin in Shaftsbury Hollow. Spending time at his hunting camp was one of his favorite pastimes.

Erwin joined the Bennington Fire Department in 1957. He served on the Board of Engineers; he was second assistant for five years, a first assistant for three years and chief of the department for four years, from 1974-1977. He was still an active member at the time of his death and received multiple awards from the State of Vermont recognizing his lengthy service.

Survivors include his six children: Stephen (Sally) Mattison of Aurora, CO, Gary (Marylou Nicholsen) Mattison, Cynthia (Robert) Carpenter, Jeffrey (Tami) Mattison - all of Shaftsbury, Lisa (Gerald) LaCroix of Bennington, and Connie (Dean) Lawton of South Burlington; his brother Wallace L Mattison; his sister, Susanne Saunders, both of Bennington, 20 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, one brother-in-law, two sisters-in-law, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy, his daughter-in-law, Claudia Mattison, his grandchildren Brett LaCroix and Gwendolyn Mattison, his great-great grandson Jasper Strain-McCormick, his brothers Howard, William, Clyde, and Lawrence, his sister Barbara Crawford, several brothers- and sisters-in-law, four nephews, and a special companion, Margaret Crawford.

Friends and relatives may call at the Mahar and Son Funeral Home in Bennington, on Tuesday, August 13 from 4:00-6:00pm. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 14 at 11:00am at the Shaftsbury Methodist Church on Church Street in South Shaftsbury. Following the service, there will be a graveside service at the South Shaftsbury Cemetery.

If friends desire, contributions in Erwin’s memory may be made to the Bennington Fire Department through the office of the Mahar and Son Funeral Home located at 628 Main Street Bennington, VT 05201.

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Erwin Mattison

February 7, 1928 — August 6, 2024

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