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Brian Mason Obituary
He was born in Gardiner, then later moved to Pittston. He was predeceased by his parents, Harvey and Harriet Mason, and sisters Beulah Williams and Phyllis Nicola.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sharon Goggin, of Pittston; daughter Desi-Rae Severson and husband Dwayne, of Waldoboro; son Joshua Mason of Woodside, N.Y., and grandson Keanen Bowden of Farmingdale. He also is survived by his sisters, Doris Jodry and husband Ken, of Eustis, Joan Hiltz and husband Manly Sr., of Chelsea, Rose Scribner of Indian Island, Brenda Bonsant and husband Ted, of Windsor, and Nancy Godbout and husband Philip, of Farmingdale; brothers Harvey Mason and wife Juanita, of Chelsea, Gilbert Mason and wife Betty, of Weeks Mills, Howard Mason and wife Annette, of Augusta, and Dewayne Mason and wife Linda, of Chelsea; and many, many nieces and nephews.
Brian was a self-taught musician who started playing at the age of 8. He was a legend in the Maine and Canadian bluegrass and country music circuits, playing in such bands as The Misty Mountaineers, Bob and Grace French and the Rainbow Valley Folks, White Mountain Bluegrass, Shady Creek, The Morse Brothers and The Prindalls, and The Karl Shiplitt Up Country Band, just to name a few. He mastered the guitar, both lead and rhythm, as well as the banjo, mandolin, bass and fiddle.
Brian served in the U.S. Marine Corps from June 1966 until June 1969. He was a member of American Legion Post 4, where he served as commander from 1990 until 1992.
He received the prestigious Harold Carter Memorial Award, presented by the Downeast Country Music Association, for "outstanding country fiddler" in 1999.
He was an avid fly fisherman and hunter, but his greatest joys were mentoring young bluegrass musicians and just sitting around jamming with his friends. He was admired by all and loved by many for his musical abilities. He was first and foremost a musician who is sadly missed by all.
Visiting hours will be held Thursday, Aug. 16, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Staples Funeral Home in Gardiner. Graveside service with full military honors will be held Friday at noon at the New Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery on Mount Vernon Road, Augusta.
A gathering of friends and family will immediately follow at American Legion Post 4 on Griffin Street in Gardiner following the military services. A weekend tribute and celebration of his life will be held Sept. 21-23 at the residence of Glen Bowman on Lewiston Road, West Gardiner.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Brian Mason
Hermil Levasseur
July 5, 2021
From way up here in Eastern Canada.......To you Sharon & family.....I send you my sympthies....After approx. 14 yrs ago ....I still talk about Brian each & every Music -Jam I do with friends....Brian was a Mentor for me. I will remember all the little TIPS he gave me about MUSIC....I miss Jamming with my friend Brian. ...It was an honor to sing a song , that I wrote , for the family on the 23 th sept. 2007 at the family gathering at Glen Bowman.........SO = 14 yrs later ( today) I still think about Brian and I will talk about him in every music-Jams for the rest of my LIFE.............RIP Brian.....
Hermil Levasseur
Betty Wilkins
August 20, 2007
Sharon and family,
So sorry to hear about Brian; he made great, beautiful music with my friend, Mark "Guitar" Miller, and my life is richer for having gotten to know Brian over the past year or two. I've watched and listened to him play with various musicians in the Hallowell area, watched as he intently listened to and helped guide younger and older musicians, and laughed til my sides hurt with his playful antics. I'll miss seeing that twinkle in his eye, and the looks of contentment when it's flowing so pretty.
Sincerely,
Betty Wilkins
Jim Carey
August 18, 2007
Sharon and family,
Again I want to extent our sympathy to all. The last year and a half has been quite a ride with Brian in our lives. It has been a pleasure to work and play with him. What a Man! He was my Indian Chief with his words of wisdom. He taught me to believe in myself and believe in my contribution to music. That little smile on his face when playing, was not a smirk. It was the smile of a guy who truly loved what he was doing. To call me and want to play the Higher Ground open mic every Tuesday was an honor. I knew he was doing it with me as a friend because he knew I was scared to death and he laughed so hard at that. The crowds just didn't seem to bother him.
The greiving will continue but we will be ready for the celebration of his life at Glenn's on Sept 21-23. It is hard to pick up the guitar without him.
Linda Stevenson has donated a large number of GREAT photos which will appear on his website www.brianmasonbluegrass.com within the next few days. His music deserves to live on and his two 2007 CD's are a testiment to his committment to bluegrass and country.
How honored I was to have him call me by a name of his choice - JimmyBoy
Our thoughts and prayers,
Gypsy Jim Carey and family
August 18, 2007
Sharon, So sorry to hear about Brian, I send you my best.
Helen
Roberta
August 17, 2007
Dewayne and Linda, I'm sorry to hear that you lost your brother. I'm thinking about you. Roberta
Terry Goggin
August 17, 2007
Sharon. Just received word, and so very sorry for your loss. It's been too long. Send me an e-mail, so we can chat and get together.
Steve McCormick
August 17, 2007
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Lisa (Morse) Bailey
August 17, 2007
I have many fond memories of Brian playing with my dad, Erlon and my Uncles. He was an outstanding musician but also a truly wonderful friend. My deepest condolences to you all at this time of sorrow.
Amber Brawley
August 16, 2007
Josh and Family,
I am sorry to hear about your loss. We will miss your dad greatly! Our thoughts and prayer are with you all.
Lynn(Thayer) and Steve Palmer Sr.
August 16, 2007
We are so sorry to hear about Brian. Brian was a great musician. Steve remembers Brian and his brother from his younger years.
Berta McRae
August 16, 2007
Sharon and Family, Please know that your in my heart, thoughts and prayers. I was very young when I came to your gatherings, always a great time! Forever with me.
Roberta Thayer McRae
William Gokey
August 16, 2007
Although we haven't seen each other in over eight years, I always looked forward to pickin banjo with Brian in Maine and Canada. I'm going to miss staying up all night picking with him and Vic, hiding his feather, and borrowing his fake "pigtail..." Bill Gokey
w&w riordan
August 16, 2007
Sharon we grieve with you your great loss. the world lost a great musician but even more a true exceptional friend. love always wit & wilma
Kevin Lynch
August 16, 2007
Sure sorry to get this sudden and sad news. Another great guy and fun musician has gone on. It's been a tough several months in Maine for the Bluegrass community, and I'm guessing Brian would appreciate a good picking session in his memory more than anything right now.
First met Brian in 1979 in New York. He was one of the characters up north that I always looked forward to seeing the most on the festival circuit, or at someone's picking party up your way. Had some good sessions with him, too... mostly 'bull-sessions' about fishing, but almost always took time for some picking.
I hope you all (Brian's family & friends) can find some comfort in the fact that he made his mark in the music and sure made a lot of friends happy through the years. Brian was an easy guy to make friends with, that's for sure.
I'll miss not seeing his big ol' black hat standing out in the crowd again. I will play a special Bluegrass music set for him on my radio show this Saturday.
All my best to Brian's large and close families -- both the members of his immediate family, and his Bluegrass Family.
Russ & Donna Trefethen
August 16, 2007
Sharon, and Family. Our heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Brian will be sorely missed at festivals and jams.
Tom Bonsant
August 16, 2007
Uncle Brian you will surely be missed. I remeber the day you came to the house and shot arrows with your recurve bow and how cool I thoght you were when you let me keep the arrows. I also remember the family reunions where you played your heart out and how all of us had such a great time. As long as I have these memories you will always be alive in my heart. I will miss you dearly. From one military person to another SEMPER FI Uncle Brian SEMPER FI and god speed.
Dawn Murphy-Heyde
August 15, 2007
Sharon, Desi Rae, and Joshua: I'm so sorry heard about your lost of Brian. Its has been years since I have seen him but I remember times with him when I was younger. He was a great guy. He always kind to all. He will be sadly missed. May he be your guardian angel to watch over you all now and forever. This is Jimmy Murphy's daughter Dawn.
David Littlefield
August 15, 2007
Sharon,
We are so sorry for your loss. We too will miss a great man that we have know for so long. I will miss my morning greetings at Webb's with Brian.
Our thoughts are with you.
Dave & Elaine
Tim Joy
August 15, 2007
So sorry to hear of Brian's passing. I'm a bluegrass musician and have been to the festivals when Brian was there. I know I'll never be the music man Brian was. I guess the good Lord likes a little pickin too.
Stephanie Stanchfield
August 15, 2007
It's been a very long time since I had seen Brian, but I DO remember some really enjoyable music and laughs. I have known him from my family , who often got together to pick and sing a few (except these past few years). He was a great and talented musician. I remember when I was much younger my whole family went to all of the bluegrass shows and he seemed to be right there at every one. Im SURE he will overlook any festivals in the future.
with The Happy Hr. Band @ The Wharf
August 14, 2007
Dona
August 14, 2007
Sharon,
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family..Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
I am so deeply sorry for your loss.
Blessings
Stan and Judy Chase
August 14, 2007
To the Mason Families,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Cousin Leroy & Paulette Mason
August 14, 2007
Sharon and Family our love to you all, Brian's Music and Talents will
continue on in our hearts.
Peter Thayer
August 14, 2007
Sharon and Family
I am Sorry to hear of your Loss
My Symapathy to You and Family
Phillip Perkins
August 14, 2007
We are so sorry for your loss of Brian. We will miss him greatly. So glad we attended the Blue Grass Gathering in West Gardiner and The gig at The Higher Ground. He was the best.
Phil Perkins & Carol Glockler
Shelby Richardson
August 14, 2007
Sharon so sorry about your loss When I was yrs younger use to go to the festivals and always enjoyed his music The one song remembered "The Old Country Church" one of my favorites Again my condolences go to you and the family I know you have met me with Ad and Robbie Saunders
shelby
Fred Judkins
August 14, 2007
Sharon and family
My heart goes out to all of you on your loss.
Cheryl Hinkley
August 14, 2007
Josh and family,
We are so sorry for the loss of your dad. I know that Chris and Dan talked about your dad and his love of blue grass music.
Josh,being one of my many adopted kids you know that I am always here for you and any time you need someone to listen or talk with I am here as well as Paul.
Please let us know if there is anything that we can do for you.
God bless you and your family.
Love,
Cheryl & Paul Hinkley
Erlon and Jean Morse
August 14, 2007
Sharon, our hearts go out to you at this time of sorrow.Brian will be missed so much.He was a great friend and always so much fun to be around.We will miss his great talent.
John Conner
August 14, 2007
Sharon, so sorry to hear about Brian, Robbie Saunders called me. We are certainly going to miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sherry Paul
August 14, 2007
I am so sorry for your loss.
Ronnie Nash
August 14, 2007
Sorry to hear about your loss. I always considered Brian a good friend. Every time we would meet we would talk a while to catch up on what has been happening in our lives. I can remember years ago when we would get together and go visit some friends and do a little pickin and a grinnin. Really enjoyed it. My heart goes out to you and the family.
READY FOR THE STAGE
August 14, 2007
THE DUAL CONTINUES
August 14, 2007
THE DUAL
August 14, 2007
Randolph Grimes
August 14, 2007
I'm sorry to hear about Brian, i went to grade school with him.
Sharon Breton-Freeman
August 14, 2007
Sharon, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of sorrow.
ruth jewell
August 14, 2007
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Ruth and Roland Jewell
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