John James "Jack" Masson Jr.

1933 - 2025

John James "Jack" Masson Jr.

Conway, MA - John James "Jack" Masson Jr. died peacefully at home on May 7th, with his wife Barbara at his side. Jack was born February 1, 1933, in the Bronx, New York, the son of John Masson Sr. and Ruth (MacGehean) Masson.

In 1950 the family moved to Pleasantville, New York as founding members of Usonia, a cooperative utopian community. At Usonia Jack apprenticed with the architect David Henken, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, and in 1951 helped build the famous "Masson" house. Soon afterwards Jack was drafted. He enlisted in the US Air Force and served honorably in Japan, Guam, and the Pacific.

With the help of the G.I. bill, Jack attended Oswego State University of New York where he graduated with a B.A. in Industrial Arts. He subsequently earned an MFA from the School for American Craftsmen, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He taught ceramics for a year at Buffalo State University but then decided to become a full-time functional ceramicist. This was the right choice and it propelled Jack to move to the Pioneer Valley so that he could serve as the resident artist at the Bloody Brook Pottery in Old Deerfield.

In 1966, Jack purchased an old farm in Conway where the barns provided space to set up a studio and kiln, as well as a showroom. Here, Jack produced distinctive works of pottery which have been included in the collections of Nelson Rockefeller, the White House, and the Smithsonian Institution. He also participated in numerous prestigious juried Craft Fairs and exhibitions in National Galleries, and sold his pottery at many exclusive stores, including the storied "America House Gallery" in New York City., where in 1962, three of his pieces were chosen for the famed "Young American's Exhibition."

Jack had a lifelong commitment to community. He was instrumental in the founding of the Leverett Craftsman and Artists Group (now Leverett Crafts & Arts Center) and was a member of Asparagus Valley Potters Guild, as well as many other arts and crafts groups. He was a director of many craft fairs and art festivals, including the New York State Craft Fair.

Sharing his skills and experience was extremely important to Jack. For many years he taught workshops at Wesleyan Potters, UMass Amherst, Greenfield Community College, and the Jones Library in Amherst to name a few. At his home studio he mentored countless interns and apprentices, as well as creating time and space to nourish the artistic talents and creativity of his 3 children.

Jack just loved his life in Conway. In winter he enjoyed cross-country skiing with family and friends and basking in the warmth of his woodstove, fueled with firewood that he had cut himself. In summer, he loved bicycling, and was often seen on the back roads of Western Massachusetts. He was active among the extensive local biking community and rode over 80,000 miles, well into his 80's.

Jack found tremendous joy in renovating his house and taking care of his beloved property, ultimately creating a wonderful space to live and raise his family. He took great pride in all the work he did and for being able to fix just about anything. Jack's mechanical skills were so well known that few friends completed a complex repair project without first consulting Jack for advice.

But most of all, Jack cherished the company of his many friends, neighbors, and family. Jack was witty, smart, incredibly capable, funny, and creative. He had the rare ability to make people feel special because he believed that they were special. His presence will be widely missed.

Jack is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara, sons Claude of Wendell Depot, MA, and Christopher, of Los Angeles, CA, and daughter Jacqui of Joshua Tree, CA, granddaughter Khiarra, and great-grand children, Aleyda, Armani, and Ella. A celebration of Jack's life will be held at a later date.