Walter Mathiason

Walter William Mathiason passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 29, 2023. He was 64 years old.

Walt was the first born child of Howard and Helen (Koseski) Mathiason, arriving on July 1, 1958 in Simsbury, Connecticut. As a child Walt enjoyed camping in Hammonasset, Connecticut, Myrtle Beach, and other locations along the Eastern Seaboard with his parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. No camping trip was complete without a collection of comic books, and he remained an avid fan of Marvel & DC throughout his life.

Walt graduated from Simsbury High School in 1976. After working for Ovation Guitar and Fireman's Fund Insurance, he began his career at Ensign-Bickford (now Dyno Nobel). He started working on the production floor, gaining knowledge and expertise in explosive manufacturing and sourcing. Walt and his team were the recipients of the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing in 2002. Through his various roles within Dyno Nobel he was able to travel to Norway, Sweden, Germany, Chile, Mexico, and Australia and transferred to Dyno Nobel Headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT in 2008. Walt enjoyed 36 years with Dyno Nobel before moving to Waste Management as a Regional Manager in Materials Recovery, where he has worked for the last 7 years. In 2021, he was the recipient of the Waste Management Circle of Excellence. Walt was fun-loving, loyal, kind and devoted. He looked for the best in people and always tried to help people reach their potential.

Walt loved children, family gatherings, and cooking for a crowd. He was an avid sports fan, cheering for the Yankees and the New York Giants, even when they were having a rough year, and despite the fact that his Dad was a Boston Red Sox fan. Walt was an athletic young man, having played football (tight-end) and baseball. He was an accomplished pitcher and once had the opportunity to try out for the Baltimore Orioles. Walt enjoyed golfing for much of his adult life.

While our hearts are broken that Walt is no longer with us here on this earth, we take comfort in knowing that he is now reunited in heaven with those that preceded him in death; his precious little angel Elizabeth Mae, Howard & Helen Mathiason (parents); grandparents, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Walt is survived by his beloved wife Tracy O'Connor Mathiason, his brother Len (Ann) Mathiason, his sister Cathy Mathiason, his niece Mindy Swiniarski, his nephew Chris (Grace) Mathiason, his great-nieces Hazel & Amelia Mathiason, his step-daughters Emily O'Connor & Bridget O'Connor, his former wife Deborah Mathiason and many cousins.

A memorial service for Walter Mathiason will be held Saturday, Feb 4th at 10:00 am at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah.

For those wishing to attend virtually, please use the following link: https://vimeo.com/event/2841093

Memorial donations can be made in Walter's name to the American Heart Association or the National Kidney Foundation.