John Howard Stetson
February 10, 1920 ~ June 23, 2013
Maj. John Howard Stetson
U.S. Air Force (Ret.) (Age 93)
John Howard Stetson, died peacefully at home on Sunday, June 23rd. A man who's kind heart and love for his family were undeniable.
Mr. Stetson was born in New Orleans, LA on February 10th, 1920. He and his mother moved to New York City soon after. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during WWII and was stationed in Rome, Italy. While there he met and married an Italian actress named Isabella Calvenese, with whom he returned home to New York. Even though their marriage later ended they had two sons, Raoul and Jeffrey Stetson. He continued his career in the military at Griffiss Air Force Base.
In 1951, Mr. Stetson married Trixie Golden Weaver, with whom he had four children, April, Jonathan, Tracy, and Alison. They moved to Massachusetts where he worked at Handscom Air Force base. This marriage also ended and he retired as a Major in the Air Force.
In 1970 he joined the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration in Boston, MA. After several other promotions, he was the first Black man to be appointed Director of Job Corps in Washington, DC in 1974. As such he was personally responsible for expanding job training choices for women. All who worked either with or for him remember him for his kind nature and willingness to help the careers of any deserving individual, no matter their sex or color. He did this in a time before it was politically correct or required, simply because he was a good man.
Before his promotion and moving to Reston, VA to work in DC, he met and married Pauline Mahon of Brookline, MA, a former nun who became a college professor. They were married for 40 years, more time than either expected their given age difference of 22 years. In 1979 they had a son, Christopher John Stetson. When asked about marriage, he liked to say it took him three tries to get it right. His love for Pauline and desire to be there for her is certainly what kept him going for so many years.
Mr. Stetson retired from the Department of Labor after 10 years of service and many awards. He went on to open an office for Arthur D. Little and direct programs for the Navy and the FAA. He worked at the Fairfax County Library even after his third retirement because of his desire to stay busy and because he was an avid reader. He read two newspapers (The Washington Post and the NY Times) every single day, he did so even on the morning of the day he died.
Though he had an accomplished career, his greatest joy was achieving his dream of having a large family, having grown up as an only child. He is preceded in death by his mother, Florence Stetson; his first wife, Isabella; and his second wife Trixie. He is survived by his beloved wife, Pauline Mahon-Stetson; his seven children Raoul Stetson, Jeffery Stetson, April Benoit, Jonathan Stetson, Tracy Sterns, Allison Cassidy, Christopher John Stetson, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren with another soon to be born. He will proudly watch from Heaven as his family continues to grow.
Relatives and friends are invited to Mr. Stetson's Life Celebration at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11900 Lawyers Rd, Reston, VA, on Friday, June 28 from 5:00 PM till Mass of Christian Burial at 7:00 PM. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Online condolences and fond memories of Mr. Stetson may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
U.S. Air Force (Ret.) (Age 93)
John Howard Stetson, died peacefully at home on Sunday, June 23rd. A man who's kind heart and love for his family were undeniable.
Mr. Stetson was born in New Orleans, LA on February 10th, 1920. He and his mother moved to New York City soon after. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during WWII and was stationed in Rome, Italy. While there he met and married an Italian actress named Isabella Calvenese, with whom he returned home to New York. Even though their marriage later ended they had two sons, Raoul and Jeffrey Stetson. He continued his career in the military at Griffiss Air Force Base.
In 1951, Mr. Stetson married Trixie Golden Weaver, with whom he had four children, April, Jonathan, Tracy, and Alison. They moved to Massachusetts where he worked at Handscom Air Force base. This marriage also ended and he retired as a Major in the Air Force.
In 1970 he joined the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration in Boston, MA. After several other promotions, he was the first Black man to be appointed Director of Job Corps in Washington, DC in 1974. As such he was personally responsible for expanding job training choices for women. All who worked either with or for him remember him for his kind nature and willingness to help the careers of any deserving individual, no matter their sex or color. He did this in a time before it was politically correct or required, simply because he was a good man.
Before his promotion and moving to Reston, VA to work in DC, he met and married Pauline Mahon of Brookline, MA, a former nun who became a college professor. They were married for 40 years, more time than either expected their given age difference of 22 years. In 1979 they had a son, Christopher John Stetson. When asked about marriage, he liked to say it took him three tries to get it right. His love for Pauline and desire to be there for her is certainly what kept him going for so many years.
Mr. Stetson retired from the Department of Labor after 10 years of service and many awards. He went on to open an office for Arthur D. Little and direct programs for the Navy and the FAA. He worked at the Fairfax County Library even after his third retirement because of his desire to stay busy and because he was an avid reader. He read two newspapers (The Washington Post and the NY Times) every single day, he did so even on the morning of the day he died.
Though he had an accomplished career, his greatest joy was achieving his dream of having a large family, having grown up as an only child. He is preceded in death by his mother, Florence Stetson; his first wife, Isabella; and his second wife Trixie. He is survived by his beloved wife, Pauline Mahon-Stetson; his seven children Raoul Stetson, Jeffery Stetson, April Benoit, Jonathan Stetson, Tracy Sterns, Allison Cassidy, Christopher John Stetson, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren with another soon to be born. He will proudly watch from Heaven as his family continues to grow.
Relatives and friends are invited to Mr. Stetson's Life Celebration at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11900 Lawyers Rd, Reston, VA, on Friday, June 28 from 5:00 PM till Mass of Christian Burial at 7:00 PM. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Online condolences and fond memories of Mr. Stetson may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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