Joseph Mason Obituary

Joseph Mason, 75

Webster - Joseph Mason, 68, of Webster, died Monday, Nov. 9, 2015 at the Harrington HealthCare facility in Webster, after being stricken ill at home.

Joseph was born in Worcester son of the late Lillian Mason Magnant. He was a graduate of the former Commerce High School in Worcester.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War.

Joseph loved music. He was a professional vocalist with a band for many years. During his travels during his music career, he became a close friend of Pete Best, the original drummer for the Beatles.

Joseph was also a security officer for Pinkerton for many years, and worked for a transit authority in Conn.

Joseph leaves his beloved wife Ann Marie (Berry) Ramsey Mason, two children, a brother, and three sisters.

Funeral services will be private. The Athy Memorial Home, Worcester, is directing arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Worcester Telegram & Gazette from Nov. 14 to Nov. 15, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Mason

8 Entries

The Tellmarx

Warren Mac Donald

November 30, 2015

Ann Marie, thank you for being Joe's closest companion in life, for being there at the most critical times during his illness, and seeing to it that he received the proper good-bye. May God bless you and your family. Mary Lou and I send our thoughts and prayers.
Memories of Joe Mason.
The 50's and early 60's was our time, and Worcester is where all my memories of Joey are and will remain. He didn't always have the best of it, but he made do with what was given, we all did.
Joey was known by different names: Joey to our family; Butchie to Lillian and his sisters, Linda, Susan, and Mary Ann; Joe to those in his later years; and to a special few, "Spider." I never knew that one.
Our families, the Magnants and the Mac Donald's, were neighbors at 189 Millbury St. The building was four stories high, had 8 apartments, and was full of roaches and rats. Joey's family lived on the first floor, we were on the fourth, and the rats were out back under a large wooden trash bin raised up off the ground by about six inches; perfect nesting. Nice and warm during the winter and all you can eat. No, I did not forget the roaches, they were through-out the building. Moving targets were hard to hit but we managed with rulers and rubber bands. Great fun! 189 Millbury Street is no longer there, just an empty lot, an empty lot full of memories.
Joey's step-dad, Joe Magnant, was a hard man to live with. But he did provide for Lillian and the family. Lillian did what she could to keep the family going in the right direction and tried her best to keep Joey and I from teasing Donny too much during his earlier years.
Crompton Park, the Blackstone River, and the railroad tracks were our favorite haunts. We would cool off at the wading pool or play catch with a small football at the park, try and catch frogs down by the river and get wet in the process, or just walk the tracks, strictly off limits! No, we did not play "Chicken" with the trains, we kept a sharp eye out for those monsters.
Every Saturday afternoon Joey and I would walk, we walked or biked everywhere, down Millbury Street to the Rialto Theater to see Superman, then played by George Reeves, "truth, justice, and the American way;" The Three Stooges, Rin Tin Tin, Roy Rogers, Tarzan, or King Kong. Twenty-five cents to get in and nickel candy bars. Wow, what an afternoon!
After the movies we would head over to Union Station, wander through the empty buildings to see what trouble we could get into and back up to the tracks before being chased off.
Our families moved. The Mac Donald's went in one direction down Millbury St to the intersection of Ward St and the Magnant's went in the other direction closer to Kelly Square.
The Magnants moved to another 8 apartment building situated over the Quality Fish Market near Lamartine St. After watching the fish and lobsters in the market windows we would often sit on Joey's fourth floor back porch and watch the construction of the Worcester Expressway. When the road was finally paved, Joey and I would bike ride as far and as long as we could before being chased off by the police.
Joey then found music, The Tellmarx." Good for him. I was there while he practiced with the band in someone's garage. Seen him only once, "live and on stage."
We drifted apart. And then, Vietnam happened! Agent Orange! It wasn't good, any of it! The Army took Joey and told me to go home. I moved to California.
Joey and I spoke once or twice in the past 40 years. Shameful. Life got in the way. No excuses. I LOVE YOU JOEY!
The apartment building at 189 Millbury St is gone, the one at 118 Ward St is gone, the one over the fish market is gone, the three-decker at 40 Tainter St is gone also. So many memories of Joey - NOT GONE!
Joey was a life long friend of mine, of my sisters. We had our fun. Sledding at Crompton Park, catching frogs at the Blackstone, or shooting rubber bands at roaches. Bad times will never over rule the good ones. I will miss you, my friend.
Love, Warren
Joey gave me this photo of him and the band way back when polaroids were popular.

Donna & Jimmie DuVarney

November 18, 2015

Our warm and heartfelt condolences go out to Joe's family.
Memories of days gone by. I lived on the same street as Joe(I called him "Spider")growing up and used to listen to the band a lot because I had a crush on the drummer. My Dad let their band play in his vacant first floor apartment. Joe was a great performer. Years later I met his lovely wife Ann Marie and we had some great times together. He will be greatly missed. By the way I ended up marrying the drummer.

Elaine Tibbetts

November 15, 2015

To the family of Joe Mason:
Joe..Butchie.. as we called him growing up was a good friend. we grew up in the same neighborhood. Altho I havent seen him in years, I have fond memories of Joe when he was with my brothers band. Ah, those were the days. Rest in peace, Joe.
Elaine (DuVarney) Tibbetts

Elaine Tibbetts

November 15, 2015

To the family of Joe (Butchie) Mason:
Its been years since I have seen Joe. We grew up together and his mom knew my mom also. He was a very good friend of my brothers and they were in a band years ago. I remember them practicing in my mothers spare bedroom. wow, what a racket. We had alot of fun in those days. Memories like that will last a lifetime. May you rest in peace, Joe. Say Hi to your mom for me. May God Bless you all.
Elaine (DuVarney) Tibbetts

Jim & Donna DuVarney

November 15, 2015

Our prayers and condolences go out to Joe and his wife Ann. We pray God will comfort you and bless you with His peace during this time of sorrow.

Jim DuVarney

November 15, 2015

Joe,
Will be greatly missed, he was the lead singer in my band "The Tellmarx" during the '60's. Joe was a great singer and stage performer. My prayers and condolences go out to Joe and his wife Ann.

Dr.Timothy Hoffman

November 15, 2015

Thank you for serving our country. May your family find comfort in their faith and may you Rest in Peace.

Bruce Zaczek

November 15, 2015

So Sorry Anne Marie for your loss.You had to know Joe,he meant well.He was a good friend.

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