John W. Masterson

John W. Masterson, 61, passed away on Monday, June 6, 2016, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Erie, Pa., the oldest son of the late Leo Charles Masterson and Teresa Masterson Whitford and stepson to Leo Edwin Whitford.

John was a loving husband and a devoted father and grandfather.

John spent his entire career in the financial services industry. John's career started in Warren, Pa. where he made relationships that remained with him throughout his lifetime. He was a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch and also served as the Resident Director of the Erie office. John's priority was improving the quality of life for his clients, and he served them with integrity and compassion. Merrill Lynch awarded him the David Brady Award in 2014, which acknowledges an employee who continually enhances the lives of their colleagues, clients, and the communities in which they serve.

John was a true champion for the Erie Community and dedicated his time, talent and leadership skills to many organizations. John served on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Erie County, acting as Chairman of the Board in 2008 and 2009. He was also a member of the Mercyhurst University Board of Trustees, the Erie Arts & Culture, the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, and the French Creek Council of Boy Scouts. He previously served on the Fairview School Board, the Erie Regional Library Foundation, Junior Achievement, and Kiaros Prison Ministry. John was a founding member and the first Trustee Committee Chair for the American Cancer Society Erie Golf Premier Tournament.

John was a proud graduate of St. George Catholic School, Cathedral Preparatory School, and Penn State University. He was a member of the Kahkwa Club. John had the unique ability to make the most of a twenty-four hour day. He loved life and enjoyed having fun, and made it a priority to see that his friends, family, and clients did too. John had a passion for golf, Erie sports teams, and travel. He especially cherished the memories of visiting his beloved Ireland.

John is survived by his wife, Monica Masterson; his children, Emily Lawrence and her husband Rick of Meadville, Pa., Robert Masterson of Erie, Bethany Kleinedler and her husband Kyle of Erie, Ian Fremer and his wife Karen McCrarey, of Cranberry, Pa., and Vanessa Fremer and her partner Kelly Haney, of Erie; his siblings, Peggy Sam and her husband Joe of Mill Village, Pat Masterson and his wife Lisa of Pensacola, Fla., Tim Whitford and his husband Keven Gorski of Allison Park, Pa., Beth Fischer and her husband Joe, of Erie, and Kathy Lux of Cleveland, Ohio; his grandchildren, Ashlyne, Grace and Abigail Lawrence, Charlotte Kleinedler, Richie and Anthony Kuzmin-Fremer, and Samantha Fremer; and many nieces and nephews. John is also survived by the mother of his children, Deborah Masterson of Erie.

Friends may call Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 West 38th St., at Greengarden Blvd. A service will be held there Saturday at 9:15 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at 10 a.m. at St. George Church, 5145 Peach Street, Erie, Pa. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers. Memorials may be made to the St. George Tuition Angel Scholarship Program, 1612 Bryant Street, Erie, PA 16509, and the Erie/Merrill Lynch Endowment Fund, payable to the United Way of Erie County, 420 W. 6th Street, #200, Erie, PA 16507.

You will be missed John, Johnnie, Red, Dad, Grandpa, Pop-Pop, Papa and Son of Q-Tip.

Condolences may be expressed at www.bruggerfuneralhomes.com.

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