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Calvin Randolph Massey, of Concord, and Deer Isle, Maine, died peacefully at home surrounded by family Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in 1949 in Walla Walla, Wash. and graduated from Whitman College in 1969, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.
He received his MBA from Harvard in 1971 and a JD from Columbia University in 1974, where he was managing editor of the Columbia Law Review and a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. Following a dozen years of practice in San Francisco, he joined the University of California Hastings College of Law faculty in 1987, teaching constitutional law, property and wills and trusts until 2012. He then moved east and became the Daniel Webster Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of New Hampshire School of Law until his death. While at UNH, he was a guest on Laura Knoy's "The Exchange" on NHPR and moderated a panel discussion on national security at the Warren B. Rudman Center.
During his academic career he was also a visiting professor at the law schools of Stanford, University of California Berkeley, Boston College, Boston University, Lewis & Clark, Washington & Lee, and Leiden University in the Netherlands. He wrote casebooks on constitutional law and property and authored over 50 articles, mostly on constitutional law matters. He was a creative cook, an avid hiker and sailor, and a talented watercolorist. He was possessed of a quick mind and vast store of knowledge, faith and courage. Most of all, he was a beloved husband and father and will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his wife, Martha; daughter, Ellen; son-in-law, Seth Leonard; and sister, Mary Alice Tonn.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3,at 2 p.m. at St Andrew's Episcopal Church, 354 Main St., Hopkinton.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Attn: Dr. Robert J. Soiffer, MD, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215-5450.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
thanks for reminding me of happy memories of my youth which included Calvin and his parents and sister. I thank God for having included him in my life at that time.
kurt Thonney
Acquaintance
September 19, 2019
Dear Martha,
Although I never met Calvin, I can tell from the obituary, and from the way your face lit up at our 50th reunion when you spoke of him...I missed out on knowing an extraordinary man. Please know that you and your family have all my love and prayers.
Bitsy Taggart Fitzsimmons
October 10, 2015
so sorry for your loss, we will miss you cousin, Tracie and the Perez family
Tracie Perez
October 10, 2015
I am filled with the memories of our times together with Calvin when Ernie and I married and moved close to the Massey family. I was truly blessed to have them share time with me. I think that I learned a little about how to debate an issue by listening to all debate, disagree many times, then walk away okay with disagreeing....Cal was a great example of living to his fullest potential with the time he on this earth. He is missed and I am ever grateful for the memories I have of time shared with Calvin, Martha and Ellen. So sorry I couldn't attend but glad Ernie could be there.
Jane Storrer
October 5, 2015
Martha, Ellen, Seth & Mary Alice
An unimaginable loss. We will continue to pray that the God of all comfort will see you all through this process of observing your individual and collective grief.
I shared some of the following fond memories of our childhood with Calvin just a few days before his passing and I take the liberty of making them more public so as a tribute to a celebrated life and a dignified passing. I have added additional thoughts as well
Calvin, one of my fondest memories is so simple... Playing tackle football in the front yard at 504 Washington Street...with a concrete walkway in the middle of the playing field and playing garbage man on the bunk beds in the basement Basementwhat's a basement? Hard to think of Calvin, the academic, the consummate intellectual as a sand lot (front yard) football player or garbage professional It was fun BTW, you we played football after dark the porch light was on.. that's it
But I remember well your journey through Whitman collegesuch a good school but few in town knew how good it was Economics and English!! Really? Antitheticalno? Should have been Econ and PhilosophyI think? Just kidding of course Econ was my undergraduate effortMy experience was (is) that Econ informs ma more healthy world viewOf course, a world view processed through a biblical grid I knew Whitman's then president, Dr. Louis Perry...He was there until 1969, the year you were graduated summa-cum laude. Well, actually I didn't know Dr. Perry very well but I had a huge crush on his daughter, Barbara Unrequited love For me you put Whitman on my list of the finer halls of academia by taking your degree, and your Phi Beta Kappa love of learning to the Harvard MBA program why settle for less..? And then to Columbia for law school and Managing Editor of the Columbia Law Review I don't remember a lot of the in-between positions (prior to your Hasting's Law School appointment) but I do remember when Morrison & Forester, elite SF international law firm, recruited you out of Columbia.... They pick the best from the best..
But you took all that to much greater heights as one of the most well-respected Constitutional authorities in the country one who, after the similitude of Justice Antonin Scalia wanted the Constitution to make sense imagine that Your interview of Justice him was captivating I'm watching it again this eveningin your memory..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvttIukZEtM
But nothing about your intellectual pursuits, while engaging if not fascinating, is as dear as your embrace of the Savior
But I must tell you something you already know Martha was one of your most rewarding accomplishments..
Now we say goodbye. goodbye til we meet againat Jesus feet
Cousin Phil
Philip Storrer
October 1, 2015
Dear Martha, Ellen, and Seth,
I am so very sorry to hear of Calvin's passing. Although you don't know me personally, I have enjoyed following Ellen and Seth's travels. Calvin was special and one of my favorite cousins. I remember him being sharp as a tack, even as a toddler. Much love to you all.
Bud Bell
September 29, 2015
Martha,
I'm saddened by the news of Calvin's passing, and wish we had gotten to spend more time when you were in California. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Life is indeed way too short ... but Calvin's was a blessing to all who knew him.
Much love,
Alan Miller
Alan Miller
September 29, 2015
Martha-
I was so sorry to hear about Calvin. I remember what a wonderful time we had travelling together going to Long Island quite a few years ago. Calvin was the nicest, kindest, and interesting human being. My thoughts are with you and Ellen. I am sorry I cannot be at the service since I will be in California, but will call you when I am back.Love, Kate Thompson
September 28, 2015
Martha and Ellen, Those of us who have known, played and worked with Calvin for over 40 years since we were in law school together and came out afterwards to San Francisco all send you our prayers. We loved Calvin and miss him. He will always be part of our lives. John Hinman
john hinman
September 28, 2015
Martha and Family
We were so very sorry to hear of Calvin's passing. We admired his accomplishments from "afar," and always wished we had been close enough to enjoy all of you!
Your cousins
Jim and Blanche Martin
Jim and Blanche Martin
September 27, 2015
I have many happy childhood and adolescent memories of Calvin and his family for which I thank God.
Kurt Thonney
September 26, 2015
1Co 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed
1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY."
Bob Thonney
September 26, 2015
Thoughts and prayers, may he R.I.P and may God comfort and strengthen mourning ones
September 26, 2015
A wonderful and truly inspirational man. He will be greatly missed. Much love to his family. His kindness, smile and optimistic view on life are the many things that I will always hold close. Thanks Calvin, I will miss you.
September 25, 2015
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