Paul MASSEY

MASSEY, Paul "Poppy" Paul (Poppy) Massey, 90, of Roswell, Ga. passed away peacefully on March 18, 2017. He was born on April 24, 1926 in Rochester, PA. to Walter Scott Massey and Pauline Helen Stern Massey. Paul was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Marjorie Ellen (Danny) Massey. He is survived by his son, Paul Massey Jr.; daughter, Gail Ellen Feinberg and her husband Howard; special grandchildren Lauryn Finke and Michael Feinberg. Poppy was happy to have been in the life of his great grandson, Landon Finke. Paul graduated from Beaver Falls High School (Pa.) in 1943. During his freshman year at the University of Pittsburgh, he played football and became a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Paul enlisted in the Navy in April 1944 where he rose to the rank of Radarman 3rd Class aboard the USS Birmingham in the Pacific. Paul survived a Kamikaze attack on May 4, 1945 when he decided to skip a visit to the dental office, which was destroyed in the attack moments later. After being Honorably Discharged in June 1946, he returned to college at the University of Maryland, continuing his education and playing football. He went on to earn his Masters Degree in Education from Temple University. His love affair with football continued after college as he became a long-time coach of high school, college (Pitt, Maryland, Miami), semi-pro (Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix), and the NFL (Denver Broncos). While in Orlando, he was the coach of the Orlando Panthers and was instrumental in signing the first female to play professional football, Patricia Palinkas. With the University of Miami, he was responsible for the recruitment of NFL Hall of Famer Jim Kelly, Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde and future Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt. While coaching, he was also involved in many business ventures, including pool design, blackjack dealer, Salem Carpet Mills executive, and his favorite was driving the Kids R Kids daycare bus. In retirement, he lived in Chattanooga, TN, Lakeland, FL, and finally settling in Roswell, GA to be closer to his family. He will be missed by all he touched throughout his life. A graveside service will be held at Georgia National Cemetery with Military Honors on Monday, March 27, 2017 at 1:30. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to any animal rescue.