Leon J. Masse, 100 passed away, Friday, July 19, 2013 at his home in Danvers, with his family by his side. He was the devoted husband of Jeannette ‘Jeanne’ M. (Soucy) Masse with whom he shared 78 years of marriage.
Born and raised in Salem, he was the son of the late Edmond and Bruna (Nadeau) Masse. Leon worked as an architectural engineer for most of his career. Among the companies he worked for were Pitman & Brown, Morgan National and Naumkeag Lumber. Throughout his career he worked on various construction projects including the ChristianScience building in Boston, senior housing projects, schools and many churches. Heretired from Naumkeag Lumber in 1983, and was able to devote more time to his passionfor woodworking.
When Leon retired, he constructed bird houses that were replicas of world famous buildings, European cathedrals and castles. His desire for constructing developed into sophisticated scaled models of the Taj Mahal, Jefferson Memorial, and local historic sites.
Leon was a very generous man, making and donating historic models for the City of Salem such as the Old Salem Depot, Custom House, Cadet Armory, and House of Seven Gables. His greatest reward was never financial, it was found in the recipient's delight upon receiving these masterpieces.
Leon constructed over 50 lighthouses with no two ever being the same. Many of these houses are over two feet high with working light. All Leon needed was a photograph showing the different sides and he would build them out of scrap wood to scale. The finished lighthouses looked as they stood, detail for detail. This was another example of his unique woodworking talent.
Leon's kind heart was evident wherever he went. He loved to share his talent and volunteered his time teaching a woodworking class for young men. He saw the need in trying to keep these young men off the street and worked with them on several projects. The boat they built together was their biggest pride and Leon shared their excitement when the boat eventually made it to water. These boys later told Leon that he had been a tremendous influence in their lives. That was the only payment he needed.
Leon’s passion for woodworking was only exceeded by his love for his family. In
addition to his wife Jeanne, he is survived by a son, Richard Masse and his wife Nadia of Estero, FL, a daughter, Adrienne M. LeBrun and her husband Paul of N. Andover, a brother, Robert Masse and his wife Ann of Topsfield, a sister-in-law, Rosanna Masse ofDanvers, 6 grandchildren, Scott Masse and his wife Hillary, N Andover, Robert Masse and his wife Carla, David Masse and his wife Carla all of Florida, Lori McConaghy and her husband Dan of Singapore, Elaine Testa and her husband Rich of N Andover, Stephen LeBrun and his wife Jennifer of Charlton. He is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Bertha Cappuccio & Jeannette Roccio and brothers, Wilfred & Henry Masse.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. [Rt. 114 / 1-A] Salem on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 8:45 A.M. to be followed by his funeral mass in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1 Margin St., (on the Salem / Peabody line) at 10:00 A.M. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. For guestbook and additional information, please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com
Born and raised in Salem, he was the son of the late Edmond and Bruna (Nadeau) Masse. Leon worked as an architectural engineer for most of his career. Among the companies he worked for were Pitman & Brown, Morgan National and Naumkeag Lumber. Throughout his career he worked on various construction projects including the ChristianScience building in Boston, senior housing projects, schools and many churches. Heretired from Naumkeag Lumber in 1983, and was able to devote more time to his passionfor woodworking.
When Leon retired, he constructed bird houses that were replicas of world famous buildings, European cathedrals and castles. His desire for constructing developed into sophisticated scaled models of the Taj Mahal, Jefferson Memorial, and local historic sites.
Leon was a very generous man, making and donating historic models for the City of Salem such as the Old Salem Depot, Custom House, Cadet Armory, and House of Seven Gables. His greatest reward was never financial, it was found in the recipient's delight upon receiving these masterpieces.
Leon constructed over 50 lighthouses with no two ever being the same. Many of these houses are over two feet high with working light. All Leon needed was a photograph showing the different sides and he would build them out of scrap wood to scale. The finished lighthouses looked as they stood, detail for detail. This was another example of his unique woodworking talent.
Leon's kind heart was evident wherever he went. He loved to share his talent and volunteered his time teaching a woodworking class for young men. He saw the need in trying to keep these young men off the street and worked with them on several projects. The boat they built together was their biggest pride and Leon shared their excitement when the boat eventually made it to water. These boys later told Leon that he had been a tremendous influence in their lives. That was the only payment he needed.
Leon’s passion for woodworking was only exceeded by his love for his family. In
addition to his wife Jeanne, he is survived by a son, Richard Masse and his wife Nadia of Estero, FL, a daughter, Adrienne M. LeBrun and her husband Paul of N. Andover, a brother, Robert Masse and his wife Ann of Topsfield, a sister-in-law, Rosanna Masse ofDanvers, 6 grandchildren, Scott Masse and his wife Hillary, N Andover, Robert Masse and his wife Carla, David Masse and his wife Carla all of Florida, Lori McConaghy and her husband Dan of Singapore, Elaine Testa and her husband Rich of N Andover, Stephen LeBrun and his wife Jennifer of Charlton. He is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Bertha Cappuccio & Jeannette Roccio and brothers, Wilfred & Henry Masse.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. [Rt. 114 / 1-A] Salem on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 8:45 A.M. to be followed by his funeral mass in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1 Margin St., (on the Salem / Peabody line) at 10:00 A.M. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. For guestbook and additional information, please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com
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