Obituary of John W. Mason

John W. Mason, Sr. John W. Mason, Sr. of Ridgewood Terrace in Poughkeepsie, NY, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, November 16, 2008, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center after a short battle with cancer. John was born April 7, 1934 in Lynnhaven, Virginia to the late James H. and Goldie T. Mason. He graduated from the Norfolk Public Schools, attended North Carolina A & T University, Norfolk State University, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Marist College with a degree in Chemistry. John's early work experience began at the US Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Virginia, as a Licensed Metalsmith. He later joined IBM at Poughkeepsie, NY in 1962 as a Chemical Technician and retired from IBM in 1992 as a second level Senior Engineering Manager. Throughout John's thirty-year career at IBM, he received numerous awards, published 5 Technical Papers and was the recipient of a first Plateau Invention Achievement Award. After retiring, John furthered his education in Pharmaceutical Science, where he interned at Vassar Brothers Medical Center and eventually worked there. Active in his community, John was a longtime member of The First Presbyterian Church of Wappingers Falls, where he was an Elder, Deacon and taught Sunday school for many years. John, always willing to assist anyone in need, was a devoted volunteer for Meals On Wheels. In his spare time, John loved traveling and traveled extensively with family and friends. He was a member of two bowling leagues and the Wappingers Walkers Club. He was an avid gardener, golfer, bicyclist and scrapbooker, however, his greatest joy was spending time with his family. On June 2, 1957, John married the love of his life, Leola Murray, who survives him at home. Additionally, he is survived by his sons John W. Mason, Jr. and wife Lorraine f Philadelphia, Pa., Gerald M. Mason and wife Lois D. of Wappingers Falls, NY; two brothers, Robert D. Mason and wife Vivian of Painted Post, NY, and Sherman W. Mason and wife Joan of Portsmouth, VA; and sister Rosemary M. Odrick and husband Carl of Annadale, VA; three grandchildren, Britney, Wesley and Rayna Mason and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.. He was predeceased by a brother, James T. Mason and a sister, Wildred Mason Hill. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2008, at The First Presbyterian Church, 2568 South Avenue, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. Internment will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at the family plot in Norfolk, VA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John's name to the Memorial Fund at the First Presbyterian Church of Wappingers Falls or the Palliative Care Consultants, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, NY 12590.