Daniel Leslie Mathson

Wow 94 years!! Sorry to hear about Dan We were so lucky to have your family as neighbors! Dan lived the dream. Thinking about you all at this difficult and blessed time. Mel mel

Marilyn and I were pleased to be able to see Dan and Jean last July (2019) when we traveled to Wisconsin. It was also a notable occasion in that our entire California families including spouses and children were also there (Sue (Mike) Poland, Shaun, Matthew, Sara, and Steve (Sharon) Waller, Stephanie, Sofia). At the time, Dan was still driving his Cadillac and Jean was still ambulatory. Surprisingly, we didn’t reminisce too much about the past but we talked about the present and the immediate future. Although Marilyn and I traveled to visit my brother Ronnie and his wife Diane many times over the years, we always tried to visit Dan and Jean at the same time if they were in town. So, we were always somewhat close. I remember trips to the Playboy club in Lake Geneva and also the one on La Cienega and Sunset, in Hollywood, when they visited us in LA. I want to reminisce a bit about things that Dan did for Ronnie and I when we were kids. Knowing that we were orphans, he went out of his way to brighten things up. However, some of it may have been self interest. I remember a Christmas before Dan and Jean were married when Ronnie and I had a gift bonanza. The bribe consisted of an Erector Set for me, a Chemistry set for Ronnie, and at least a dozen more gifts. We were also regular passengers in the rumble seat of his Packard convertible. I think it was a late 30’s, light colored with a Red interior. This is an aside, but I remember during the big snowstorm of 1947 (I was 10 years old) when he was cavorting in a Model-T ford during the storm and went to pick up my uncle Dan Pawlowski where he was stuck on Windlake Ave. Dan was always a model-T nut and that migrated to my brother Ronnie, and also to my son Steve. It’s too bad that Dan never made it to LA to see Steve’s 1925 Model-T runabout. To close, I want to mention two memorable life events where Dan was instrumental in my well being: I was to be a piano player as was my mother. My grandparents, who raised me, dragged the piano through several moves but didn’t do it on the last move. As a result, I started on the violin at age 7. At 12 years of age, I wanted to play big band music and we rented an alto saxophone. When Dan got a whiff of the horn I was renting, he said “pew, we’re going downtown to get you a decent horn”. He took me to Flanner & Hafsoos, a musical instrument store in downtown Milwaukee and we got a 1926 Selmer alto saxophone that I still play to this day. The first recital I played on the horn was Jimmy Dorsey’s theme song. Another life event was when I was 16, after saving my money setting pins in a bowling alley; I needed advice on buying my first car. Dan was the only one I could turn to for help. He wisely got me into a black, ’46 Plymouth, 4 door. I drove it for about 4 years. Dan was heavily into Lincoln Continentals. I once mentioned to him that he would be money ahead if he bought a Rolls Royce instead. He always asked me whenever we met “what kind of car are you driving”. He was never happy with my choice until I told him I was driving a Lincoln. Seeing what Lincoln has to offer now, I can understand why he loved his Cadillac.

Papa, I miss you tons. I will never forget all the memories we made over the 37 years I have been alive. When I was little you would be front row at the dance recitals, grandparents day at school, and even the Christmas concerts cheering me on. I appreciated all the support you gave me when I was growing up and even into my adulthood. We talked almost every other day and I will not forget those conversations. Thanks for everything you did to make my life unforgettable. Today I see a lot of you in me and I will never forget that. You will always be in my heart. I love you dearly! Remember you are the glass is half full guy...not half empty!

What a wonderful person Dan was. Always positive and friendly. I was very impressed with his ability to keep up with technology and to carry on an intelligent conversation about most any topic. I enjoyed the time we spent together and was privileged to know Dan. He will be missed but never forgotten.

words cannot express feelings at this time..know you are in our thoughts and loved

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.