John L. "Jack" Mason

John L. 'Jack'
Mason, 86
Master Chief Petty Officer
United States Coast Guard RET.
CAPE ELIZABETH -- John Lee 'Jack' Mason, 86, of Cape Elizabeth, passed away peacefully on Jan. 27, 2010, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough. He was born Aug. 29, 1923, in Davis Wharf, Va., the son of William and Alice Mason. Jack enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1940 and served honorably for 29 years. He rose to the rank of E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer. He was extremely proud of his years of service and was dedicated to the values of the Coast Guard: 'Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty'.
Jack served aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Duane during World War II and saw action in the North Atlantic, Greenland, off the coast of Southern France and in North Africa. Among the many award and citations he received were three Bronze Stars, The European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, The Distinguished Service Award, the Southern France Campaign Medal, the American Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the USCG Good Conduct Medal. He was a lifetime member the Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association, VFW Post 832, The Chief Petty Officers Association, The Duane Association, The Lightship Sailors Association and the Disabled Veterans Association.
Upon his retirement from the Coast Guard he began a second career as Operations Manager at Carolina Freight and Transport in Portland. He worked in that capacity for another 20 years and then retired again to pursue two more passions: travel and golf. He and his wife Marion purchased a camper and travelled extensively, visiting all forty-eight contiguous United States. Jack was also an avid and accomplished golfer playing well into his 70s before before health issues forced him to put away the clubs for good.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marion Mason of Cape Elizabeth; a daughter, Jackie Mattison also of Cape Elizabeth, a son, David and his wife Susan of Yarmouth; two granddaughters, Angela Mattison of Scarborough and Caitlin Mattison of Cape Elizabeth, two grandsons, Samuel John Mason and Aaron Joseph Mason of Yarmouth; and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland, where a funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 31. Burial will be in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations in
Jack's name may be sent to:
The Gosnell Memorial
Hospice House
180 U.S. Route 1
Scarborough, Maine 04074
or the Animal Refuge League
P.O. Box 336
Westbrook, Maine 04098
John L. 'Jack' Mason