Christian Mathiesen, Jr.
DEATH OF A KIND, LOYAL SALESMAN.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Christian Mathiesen, Jr., 99, passed away on October 28, 2022 at the Home of the Good Shepherd, Saratoga Springs. Mr. Mathiesen was born on March 13, 1923 in Albany, NY, the second son of Christian Mathiesen, Sr., a civil engineer who had emigrated from Stavanger, Norway and Lola Federlein, a performance artist who had been raised in Buffalo.
After his parents’ divorce, he was raised primarily in his father’s household. He was educated in the Albany Academy. After graduation, he enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps. He served during World War II until being honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Sergeant.
Chris’ step-father, Wilson Codling, had given him a part-time job in the Tobin Packing Company beef cooler while he was in high school. After returning from the war, Chris began working full time at Tobin where he gradually transitioned to the sales department.
In 1949, while attending a wedding, Chris met the beautiful Peggy Ann McCormack, a recent graduate of the College of St. Rose and the senior class Rose Queen. After an intense courtship, they were married in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany on January 7, 1950.
In the spring of 1954, Chris and Peg moved from Albany to Saratoga Springs with their three young children where Chris took over the Tobin Packing sales territory. Though sad to leave so many friends and relatives back in Albany, both Peg and Chris were welcomed into the Saratoga Springs community and made many new, lifelong friends. They soon welcomed two more daughters to their home at 89 Fifth Avenue.
Chris represented the Tobin Packing Company in Saratoga County for many years and eventually retired as a salesman for Polascek Farms. After retirement, he and Peg spent winters in Venice, FL. They enjoyed many years as members of the Saratoga Golf and Polo Club where Chris played golf whenever he could. He was recently cited as a 65-year member of the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Club. After converting to Peggy’s religion late in life, he became a faithful communicant of St. Clement’s Church.
Chris was devoted to his parents, his wife and children, his extended family, friends and sales customers. Peggy Ann was the love of his life. Chris cared for her during her final years as she suffered from Alzheimers. They had been married for nearly 65 years. He was a kind and generous man, one of the last survivors of the Greatest Generation.
Chris was pre-deceased by his parents, his wife, his two brothers Jack Mathiesen and Frank Codling, and his sister Nancy Fraser. He is survived by his sister Diane Bartlett and his sister-in-law Marcia Codling, his son Christian E Mathiesen DMD (Fran), his daughters Pamela Pasciucco (Dr. Peter), Mary Ellen Mathiesen-Tyrrell (Bernie), Anne Macrae (Mike) and Karen Tobin (Craig) as well as twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
On Saturday, November 5, 2022, relatives and friends may call from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs. All are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial which will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will take place after the service in St. Peter’s Cemetery, West Avenue, Saratoga Springs.
Contributions in Mr. Mathiesen’s memory can be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com