Joseph S. Masaitis, 88 years of Brockton died at his home Saturday May 9, 2009. He was the husband of Angeline (Bagnulo) (Harris) Masaitis. Mr. Masaitis was born and raised in Brockton, the son of the late Frank S. and Constance (Visgaitis) Masaitis.
He was a graduate of Brockton High School Class of 1938 and remained a lifelong resident of the city. Mr. Masaitis served as a gunner in the Army during WWII. He was shot down over Germany and spent two years as a POW. He was a member of the 305th Bombing Group and the 365th Bomb Squadron. He received the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Purple Heart.
Mr. Masaitis was a shipbuilder for many years in the Boston Naval Shipyard. He was a lobster man and owned a small marina on Sconicut Neck in Fairhaven. Joe was a devoted parishioner and choir member for many years for Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Brockton and a member of the Whitman Chapter of the VFW. Joe also proudly built his two homes on the West side of Brockton. He enjoyed reading, listening to all genres of music, playing a strategic game of chess and baking for his family especially his homemade bread. Joe will be sadly missed by his loving family.
In addition to his wife Angeline, he is survived by his children, Gerald Masaitis and his wife Marilyn of E. Freetown, Polyna Morland of NY, Janine Cerasale and her husband Gerald of Manassas, VA, Anne Gajoli of Buzzards Bay and Joanne Johnson of Moriarity, NM; his stepson Arthur Harris and his wife Jan of Brockton; his brother Francis Masaitis of Brockton; his sister Marie Brooks of IL; 17 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. He was the father of the late Gregory Masaitis and brother of the late Anita Williams.
Funeral from the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton Wednesday at 8am. followed by a Funeral Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 9am. Burial in Melrose Cemetery. Visiting hours Tuesday 4-8pm. Donations in memory of Joseph may be made to the Hospice of Greater Brockton/Boston, 500 Belmont St., Brockton, MA 02301.