Commander Michael C. Masley Jr.

1953 - 2017

Commander Michael C. Masley, Jr.

Thompson, CT - Commander Michael C. Masley Jr. passed away peacefully in his home on November 7th, 2017. His parents, Michael C. Masley Sr. and Agnes Masley, predeceased him. He will be sorely missed by his brother Joel Masley, his wife Juliana, and their 3 children Arianna, Nicholas, and Alexandra, and his brother John, his wife Elaine, and their children Kristen Dahlman and her husband Andrew and Evan. He loved his family, took great pride in their accomplishments and was always present at family gatherings.

Commander Masley led an active and fulfilled life. He graduated from Tourtellotte Memorial High School in 1971. He then graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD with honors in 1975 with a Bachelors Degree in Oceanography/Physics. Cdr. Masley attended the Surface Warfare Officers' School in California where he was awarded the Admiral Arleigh Burke Award given for leadership and academic excellence. Later he attended the Surface Officers' School in Newport, RI where he again earned the Admiral Arleigh Burke Award; making him the first and only person to have won this award at both schools.

During Cdr. Masley's 20 years of service in the Navy, he was the First Lieutenant and Navigator aboard the USS Robert E. Peary from 1975-1977. He then served as the Main Propulsion Assistant on the USS Nicholson from 1979 to 1981. He was assigned to the USS Olendorf in 1983 as the Operations Officer and other duties included Combat Systems and Nuclear Weapons Officer and Tactical Action Officer. In 1985 he received orders to report to the USS Sterett as the Operations Officer. Other duties included Anti-Air Warfare Coordinator and Electronic Warfare Coordinator. The USS Mahlon S. Tisdale became his last ocean-based tour of duty from 1987-1989 where he was the Executive Officer. He traveled the world extensively while on these tours of duty.

Cdr. Masley reported to his first shore duty in May 1989 at the Pentagon in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations where he held several positions. In 1992 Cdr. Masley was assigned to the College of Continuing Education at the Naval War College in Newport, RI as a Professor, teaching National Security Decision Making courses and was National Decision Making Coordinator. He retired from active duty on August 1st, 1995.

While serving his country, Cdr. Masley earned a Masters of Science Degree in Systems Management and a certificate in Informations Systems from the University of Denver in 1991 and a Masters of Arts Degree in International Relations from Salve Regina University in 1995. Cdr. Masley was awarded a second place award from the American Council on Oceans Law for his research paper on U.N. Ocean Laws Impact on the New Navy Strategy in 1993. This paper was requested for use by the United States delegation to the United Nations and is still used today. Cdr. Masley had many papers published during his time at the War College. During his 20 years of service, Cdr. Masley received multiple medals and awards and prided himself on his service to his country.

Upon retirement in 1995, Cdr. Masley was hired as the first Senior Naval Science Instructor and began the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Core (NJROTC) unit at Oxford High School. Under his direction, the unit earned 25 national program awards in 20 years. In the first year, an award was created for his unit "Outstanding First Year Program Award" for NJROTC Area 4. In the second year, the unit was awarded the Chief of Naval Education and Training Unit Award, the only second year unit to receive this award. Cdr. Masley's unit also earned the White House National Daily Point of Light on Sept. 28, 1999 and became the first NJROTC unit of any service branch to receive this distinction. Other NJROTC unit awards under Cdr. Masley's direction include 16 Distinguished Unit awards in 17 years in Area 4. As Color Guard Coach, Cdr. Masley led his teams to 14 National Championships. His unit received national, regional, and state awards for unit programming and excellence, academics, color guard and drill teams, shooting club, and volunteerism. Cdr. Masley prided himself on providing his students with the best educational opportunities as well as life opportunities such as guiding his cadets to participate in Leadership Academy, opportunities to provide color guard at a variety of events, sailing opportunities in Newport, RI, organizing the annual Military Ball, and the importance of community service to help make the world a better place. A former cadet nominated Cdr. Masley for and he received the coveted Thomas S. Green Public Service Award for outstanding municipal employees in 2013. As director of the Oxford NJROTC, he believed in challenging each student to reach their greatest potential and he set high standards for students and the unit. Cdr. Masley not only led his unit to achieve great recognition, he was a mentor and friend to his cadets and their families, the student body and staff, and to everyone he met. He retired from his post as Director of the NJROTC Unit in October 2017.

Cdr. Masley also found time to be active in the community as he was a member of the US Naval Academy Alumni Association, the US Naval College War Foundation, St. Bernard's Council Knights of Columbus in North Grosvenordale, CT, the Oxford American Legion Post # 58, the Military Officers Association of the United States, and many other organizations. Cdr. Masley received multiple community awards for his service. In 2005, he was selected for the Award of Merit by the Armed Forces Committee of Worcester County and was presented with the Keys to the City of Worcester. In 2013 Cdr. Masley was selected to receive an Oxford Tercentennial Award for his "dedication to making the community of Oxford a better place to live". Cdr. Masley was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Dudley, MA. He was an avid sports fan and was especially fond of the New England Patriots, not just for their winning record but also for their dedication to hard work to achieve the goal of being a winning team.

Commander Masley's greatest gift was his love for life and he led his life as a public servant. He never hesitated to give a smile, offer words of support and encouragement, and provide a helping hand to anyone, anywhere in need. He considered his extended family to be the Navy, the veterans, his cadets, and his community. His family extends thanks to all that have shared stories and sent condolences. In true Cdr. Masley fashion, this obituary is long but only highlights his some of accomplishments, as there are too many to list here.

Calling hours will be Sunday November 12th from 4 -8 pm at St. Anthony Padua Church, 24 Dudley Hill Rd. in Dudley, MA and a Mass of Christian burial will be Monday at 10 AM at St. Anthony Padua Church. Burial will be at the St. Anthony Cemetery in Webster, MA. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, 48 School St.,Webster, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. A guest book is available at www.shaw-majercik.com where you may post a condolence or light a candle.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to The Commander Michael C. Masley, Jr. Fund at the Webster Five Cents Saving Bank. Donations will be used for scholarships at Oxford HS and Tourtellotte Memorial HS and to support veterans' affairs.