Raymond P. Massett, Jr.

Raymond Peter Massett, Jr., 85, went home to join his wife with the Lord on Thursday, September 20, 2018, after a sudden illness.

Ray was born in Syracuse and was a 1952 graduate of Vocational High School. He served in the US Army during the Korean War from 1953-1955. Boxing for several years, he joined the Army boxing team, and was a Golden Gloves Champion. Early on, he worked as a Steeplejack, and then joined Union Local 818 (now 267) as a pipe fitter and welder for over 36 years, where he served as union Vice President & President in the 1970's. He retired in 1992, and served as a union Trustee for many years after. He also worked part-time for over 22 years at Northeast Transporters, an automobile dealer business he started with his wife in 1986. He was married on June 25th, 1966 at St. Francis of Assisi in Bridgeport, and resided in Lakeport, NY for 42 years, raising four children with his wife, before moving to Tully, NY in 2008.

Ray enjoyed camping with his family in Central New York, the Adirondacks, at his in-laws' Fairwood Evergreens Campsite in Forestport, NY, and "backwoods" camping in the Moose River Plains. He was an avid outdoorsman, archer and whitetail deer hunter in the Adirondacks, and around NYS, also making special trips to Newfoundland and Colorado to hunt moose & elk. He enjoyed traveling, including numerous trips to see the Indy 500 in Indianapolis, RVing across the country to Las Vegas & California, many visits to Walt Disney World & Daytona Beach, and spending winters in the Ocala National Forest in Florida. He also enjoyed classic cars, vintage Harley & Indian motorcycles, oil painting, growing vegetable gardens, and working on two houses that he built with his wife. He loved to reminisce about the "olden days", and always shared many interesting, detailed stories about his life & times with friends & family. Ray loved his Roman Catholic Faith and was most recently a communicant of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Syracuse.

He was predeceased by his wife Joan "Mitzi" (Fairbank) Massett in 2014, parents Raymond L. Massett, Sr. in 1992, Agnes "Nina" (D'Arcy) Massett in 1971, and sister Irene Rao in 2017.

He is survived by his daughter, Darcy A. Massett of North Syracuse; sons, Timothy R. Massett of North Syracuse, Brian D. Massett of San Diego, CA, and Jason C. Massett of Tully; grandson, Kyle E. Fushey of Cicero; brothers, James Massett of Chittenango, Thomas Massett of Baldwinsville; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Contributions in his memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, CNY Chapter, 1-800-272-3900, www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate

A special thanks to the staff at Loretto & Crouse, from Ray and his family.

Funeral services will begin Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018 at 9am at Newcomer Cremations & Funerals, 705 North Main Street, N. Syracuse, NY 13212, followed by a 10am Tridentine Funeral Mass at St. Daniel's Church in Lyncourt, and military burial at Fayetteville Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday, Sept. 28, from 2-4 and 7-9pm at the funeral home.

To share a memory of Raymond or leave a special message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.