Ronald “Ronnie” Arthur Mattson, 86, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on October 3, 2024.  Born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Marion (Klich) and Harry J. Mattson. 

Ronnie is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Louise “Mary Lou” Mattson; his daughters, Pamela Mattson, and her husband, Daniel Davis, of Hopkinton, MA, and Lucinda Coughlin, and her husband, Charlie, of Holliston, MA; his wonderful granddaughters Ella and Caroline Coughlin; his brother, Jackie Mattson of Ware, MA; his sister-in-law, Maureen Ross O’Connell and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Harry J. Mattson, Jr. 

Ronnie was a standout junior golfer and hockey player. While at Springfield Technical High School, he competed for three years without a defeat in match play. He and his brother, Harry, led the golf team to the Western Massachusetts High School Championship in 1953, 1954, and 1955 and the state title in 1955 and he was the Western Massachusetts High School individual champion in 1954 and 1955. He won the Massachusetts Junior Amateur Tournament in 1953 and 1955, the Massachusetts Jaycee Championship in 1954 and 1955, and the New England Hearst Junior Championship three years in a row from 1953 to 1955.  He was a force on the ice, too, earning MVP honors as the Springfield Flyers won the 1952 New England junior hockey title. 

Ronnie attended American International College (AIC) in Springfield, MA on hockey and golf scholarships graduating in 1961.  He joined the Professional Golf Association in 1967 (PGA) and won the Northeastern New York PGA Section that same year.  In addition, he played in the 1968 PGA Championship in San Antonio, TX as well as a couple of Greater Hartford Open tournaments.   

Ronnie was employed as a teaching golf professional at Franconia Golf Club in Springfield, MA prior to his first head golf professional role at the Jug End Resort in South Egremont, MA, where he met his wife, Mary Lou.  He was the head golf professional at Ludlow Country Club for two years before moving to Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow, MA in 1970. He enjoyed his job every day, supporting his members, running tournaments, mentoring junior golfers, and making many lifelong friends.  Upon his retirement in 2005 after 36 years, he was recognized by the membership with the annual four-ball tournament being named in his honor. 

Ronnie was celebrated for his skills on and off the course as the 1985 Tee Party honoree and his inductions into the AIC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006, Western Massachusetts Golf Hall of Fame in 2008, and the Springfield Public High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. 

In retirement, Ronnie and Mary Lou enjoyed traveling to Florida, Ireland, and Martha’s Vineyard.  He loved introducing people to the game of golf, teaching them how to play, and volunteering for junior golf events with the Connecticut Section PGA.  There were many impromptu golf lessons given when he was around.  He always had time to watch a swing, give a tip, or lend an ear.  He had boundless energy and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, teaching them golf, volunteering at their sporting events, imparting life lessons, and making an imprint on their hearts.

Ronnie took devoted care of his wife, ensuring that she was able to live comfortably in their home.  There is a saying that you can tell a person’s character by how they behave when no one is looking. Ronnie’s ability to care for others, lend a helping hand, take care of a friend, neighbor, or stranger speaks volumes to the wonderful man that he was. We have many wonderful family memories including Sunday afternoon golf and pizza, Monday day trips to the lake or Misquamicut beach, Columbus Day weekends on the Cape, cross-country skiing, and our first road trip to Walt Disney World. In addition to golf, he enjoyed working in his yard, cheering on his favorite Boston sports teams, watching old movies, going to his granddaughters’ games, playing cards, and spending time with his family.  He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather and he will be greatly missed. 

The family would like to thank the VNA Care Hospice team, Katie, Marion, Lauren, Krysia; individual caregivers, Adriana and Elenice; and especially Margaret, Mary Lou’s live-in caregiver, and wonderful person. 

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024, beginning at 9:30 am at the Chesmore Funeral Home, 854 Washington Street, Holliston, MA followed by mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 8 Church Street, Holliston, MA at 11 am.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Holliston, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Tee Massachusetts (firstteemass.org) or to American International College in Springfield, MA (AIC.edu).