Edward Chase Mathews, 85

Edward Chase Mathews, 85, of Danbury, loving husband of the late Patricia (Roland) Mathews, died on Monday, December 31st at his home. He was born on June 6, 1927 in Flushing, NY, son of the late L.E. and Mary Content (Chase) Mathews. He was the grandson of the American Impressionist, William Merritt Chase.

Edward was a Veteran of World War II, proudly serving with the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga, CV-3. He was a recipient of the American Theater Medal, Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal.

After his time in the Navy, Edward (fondly known then as “Ted”) went on to accomplish many things. He had numerous hobbies and special interests including aerial and high-speed photography, actually having one of his photographs on the cover of Popular Mechanics. He worked in the pit crew with Bill Wonder and the Maserati Team, dabbled in slot cars, ice hockey, 8mm movies and projection, carpentry, drumming, aquariums, America’s Cup racing, UCONN's Women's Basketball and was a storyteller extraordinaire. He was especially proud to be one of the earliest owners of a 1953 Austin Healey, waiting over a year for delivery, and he carried a picture of that car in his wallet still.

He was granted 7 patents, all in aeronautics. He was an Engineer at Perkin-Elmer in Danbury, working on the Hexagon Program and then later the Hubble Space Telescope. His love for the sport of ice hockey led him to be instrumental in developing youth hockey in the area. He owned and operated Wesco Sports Center in Brookfield alongside his wife from its inception in 1972 and continued to operate it along with his children. You could find him at the front register 7 days a week, always ready with one of his stories from his past.

Ed will be sadly missed by his children, Douglas Mathews and his wife Jeanne of Danbury, William Mathews, Patricia Augeri and Mary Rouse and her husband Keith all of New Milford and seven grandchildren, Victoria Paige Mathews, Max and Teddy Augeri, Alex, Harry, Sam and Will Rouse.

In addition to his wife, Patricia, Edward was predeceased by his grandson Benjamin Augeri and sister, Marylynn Mercer. Edward Chase Mathews, 85, of Danbury, loving husband of the late Patricia (Roland) Mathews, died on Monday, December 31st at his home. He was born on June 6, 1927 in Flushing, NY, son of the late L.E. and Mary Content (Chase) Mathews. He was the grandson of the American Impressionist, William Merritt Chase.

Edward was a Veteran of World War II, proudly serving with the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga, CV-3. He was a recipient of the American Theater Medal, Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal.

After his time in the Navy, Edward (fondly known then as “Ted”) went on to accomplish many things. He had numerous hobbies and special interests including aerial and high-speed photography, actually having one of his photographs on the cover of Popular Mechanics. He worked in the pit crew with Bill Wonder and the Maserati Team, dabbled in slot cars, ice hockey, 8mm movies and projection, carpentry, drumming, aquariums, America’s Cup racing, UCONN's Women's Basketball and was a storyteller extraordinaire. He was especially proud to be one of the earliest owners of a 1953 Austin Healey, waiting over a year for delivery, and he carried a picture of that car in his wallet still.

He was granted 7 patents, all in aeronautics. He was an Engineer at Perkin-Elmer in Danbury, working on the Hexagon Program and then later the Hubble Space Telescope. His love for the sport of ice hockey led him to be instrumental in developing youth hockey in the area. He owned and operated Wesco Sports Center in Brookfield alongside his wife from its inception in 1972 and continued to operate it along with his children. You could find him at the front register 7 days a week, always ready with one of his stories from his past.

Ed will be sadly missed by his children, Douglas Mathews and his wife Jeanne of Danbury, William Mathews, Patricia Augeri and Mary Rouse and her husband Keith all of New Milford and seven grandchildren, Victoria Paige Mathews, Max and Teddy Augeri, Alex, Harry, Sam and Will Rouse.

Funeral Information

Military Honors will be presented at 7 p.m. on Friday, January 4 at Brookfield Funeral Home, 786 Federal Road, Brookfield.

The family will receive friends between the hours of 3 and 7 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.