The Hartford Courant
May 2, 2011
MASSEY, Merle Gene Merle Gene Massey, 79, of Rocky Hill and formerly of Wethersfield, a gentle man of faith, a devoted husband and beloved father and grandfather and a dear friend to many, left this world on April 28, 2011, in the same way he lived his life: peacefully and quietly.
Gene was born February 12, 1932, in Peoria, IL. He is survived by his best friend and the long-time love of his life, Elaine M. (Gottel) Massey.
Gene and Elaine became sweethearts in grade school in El Paso, Illinois. They were married on New Year's Day in 1953, which coincided with the 25th wedding anniversary of Elaine's parents, Alina and Arnold Gottel. Gene and Elaine joyously celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary this past January. "All because two people fell in love"...The Massey Family came to be. Together, Gene and Elaine raised four loving children whom Gene cherished. Gene was also blessed with twelve beautiful grandchildren, who affectionately called him "Papa". Papa treasured his grandchildren and showered them with much love and attention. Gene was a true family man and raised his family to be close and loving with each other. His legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren who loved him and will miss him dearly.
Gene is also survived by his children: Brenda (Massey) Foxen and her husband Peter, Sr. of Rocky Hill, Lori (Massey) Littmann and her husband Mark of Rocky Hill, Beth (Massey) Scully and her husband Jim of West Hartford, Bruce Massey and his wife Beth (O'Brien) of West Hartford; and his grandchildren: Peter, Jr., Abigail and Christian Foxen, Laura, Jenna, Tyler and Marisa Littmann, James and Aidan Scully, and Erin, Rachel and Joshua Massey. Gene was predeceased by his parents and brother Paul and leaves behind his two sisters, Carol Ball and her husband Roger and Karen Porter and her husband David, a sister-in-law, Carol Smoots, and a niece and two nephews.
Gene graduated from El Paso High School in 1950. He served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Monrovia until 1954. He attended DeVry in Chicago, IL. He owned and operated a television sales and service business in Gridley, IL. Gene then became employed with General Electric Company. He worked in the Design Evaluation Lab in Bloomington, IL, later became Manager of Shop Operations. In 1970, he moved to Avon Lake, OH and ran the GE Manufacturing Operations for five years. In 1974, Gene came to the Plainville, CT Plant as Manager of Quality Control and Manufacturing Operations. He retired in 1994 from GE after a 35 year career.
Throughout his life Gene had a strong faith in his Lord. He was a member of the Lutheran Layman's League and choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in EL Paso, IL in addition to serving as President of the Congregation and Superintendent of Sunday School. Gene was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church in West Hartford since 1975 and served for many years as Lay Minister and member of the chancel choir.
In his earlier years, Gene was a HAM radio operator and he acquired his First Class Radio Operator's license while in El Paso. In recent years, Gene's interest in communication turned to the Internet, where he frequently shared jokes and interesting stories with family and friends. Gene had an interest in aviation and earned his private pilot's license in Ohio. Gene was a skilled handyman building his first home in Illinois in his spare time. Not one to sit idly by, Gene was always helping his children and grandchildren with different projects. He willingly and generously shared his time and talents with others. Gene enjoyed family outings, whether it was camping, skiing, boating, going on special vacations with family and friends or traveling home to Illinois for reunions. Golfing was another passion of Gene's.
He was employed at the TPC in Cromwell as a course ranger and advisor for the past thirteen years.
Gene lived his life well. All those who knew and loved him will keep Gene in their hearts forever.
The funeral service will be at Bethany Lutheran Church, 1655 Boulevard, West Hartford, on Thursday, (May 5, 2011) at 10 a.m. Calling hours will be on Wednesday, (May 4, 2011) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford. A private graveside service for family will be at Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gene's memory to Bethany Lutheran Church, 1655 Boulevard, West Hartford, CT 06107.
May 2, 2011
MASSEY, Merle Gene Merle Gene Massey, 79, of Rocky Hill and formerly of Wethersfield, a gentle man of faith, a devoted husband and beloved father and grandfather and a dear friend to many, left this world on April 28, 2011, in the same way he lived his life: peacefully and quietly.
Gene was born February 12, 1932, in Peoria, IL. He is survived by his best friend and the long-time love of his life, Elaine M. (Gottel) Massey.
Gene and Elaine became sweethearts in grade school in El Paso, Illinois. They were married on New Year's Day in 1953, which coincided with the 25th wedding anniversary of Elaine's parents, Alina and Arnold Gottel. Gene and Elaine joyously celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary this past January. "All because two people fell in love"...The Massey Family came to be. Together, Gene and Elaine raised four loving children whom Gene cherished. Gene was also blessed with twelve beautiful grandchildren, who affectionately called him "Papa". Papa treasured his grandchildren and showered them with much love and attention. Gene was a true family man and raised his family to be close and loving with each other. His legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren who loved him and will miss him dearly.
Gene is also survived by his children: Brenda (Massey) Foxen and her husband Peter, Sr. of Rocky Hill, Lori (Massey) Littmann and her husband Mark of Rocky Hill, Beth (Massey) Scully and her husband Jim of West Hartford, Bruce Massey and his wife Beth (O'Brien) of West Hartford; and his grandchildren: Peter, Jr., Abigail and Christian Foxen, Laura, Jenna, Tyler and Marisa Littmann, James and Aidan Scully, and Erin, Rachel and Joshua Massey. Gene was predeceased by his parents and brother Paul and leaves behind his two sisters, Carol Ball and her husband Roger and Karen Porter and her husband David, a sister-in-law, Carol Smoots, and a niece and two nephews.
Gene graduated from El Paso High School in 1950. He served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Monrovia until 1954. He attended DeVry in Chicago, IL. He owned and operated a television sales and service business in Gridley, IL. Gene then became employed with General Electric Company. He worked in the Design Evaluation Lab in Bloomington, IL, later became Manager of Shop Operations. In 1970, he moved to Avon Lake, OH and ran the GE Manufacturing Operations for five years. In 1974, Gene came to the Plainville, CT Plant as Manager of Quality Control and Manufacturing Operations. He retired in 1994 from GE after a 35 year career.
Throughout his life Gene had a strong faith in his Lord. He was a member of the Lutheran Layman's League and choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in EL Paso, IL in addition to serving as President of the Congregation and Superintendent of Sunday School. Gene was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church in West Hartford since 1975 and served for many years as Lay Minister and member of the chancel choir.
In his earlier years, Gene was a HAM radio operator and he acquired his First Class Radio Operator's license while in El Paso. In recent years, Gene's interest in communication turned to the Internet, where he frequently shared jokes and interesting stories with family and friends. Gene had an interest in aviation and earned his private pilot's license in Ohio. Gene was a skilled handyman building his first home in Illinois in his spare time. Not one to sit idly by, Gene was always helping his children and grandchildren with different projects. He willingly and generously shared his time and talents with others. Gene enjoyed family outings, whether it was camping, skiing, boating, going on special vacations with family and friends or traveling home to Illinois for reunions. Golfing was another passion of Gene's.
He was employed at the TPC in Cromwell as a course ranger and advisor for the past thirteen years.
Gene lived his life well. All those who knew and loved him will keep Gene in their hearts forever.
The funeral service will be at Bethany Lutheran Church, 1655 Boulevard, West Hartford, on Thursday, (May 5, 2011) at 10 a.m. Calling hours will be on Wednesday, (May 4, 2011) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford. A private graveside service for family will be at Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gene's memory to Bethany Lutheran Church, 1655 Boulevard, West Hartford, CT 06107.
The Hartford Courant
May 2, 2011
MASSEY, Merle Gene Merle Gene Massey, 79, of Rocky Hill and formerly of Wethersfield, a gentle man of faith, a devoted husband and beloved father and grandfather and a dear friend to many, left this world on April 28, 2011, in the same way he lived his life: peacefully and quietly.
Gene was born February 12, 1932, in Peoria, IL. He is survived by his best friend and the long-time love of his life, Elaine M. (Gottel) Massey.
Gene and Elaine became sweethearts in grade school in El Paso, Illinois. They were married on New Year's Day in 1953, which coincided with the 25th wedding anniversary of Elaine's parents, Alina and Arnold Gottel. Gene and Elaine joyously celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary this past January. "All because two people fell in love"...The Massey Family came to be. Together, Gene and Elaine raised four loving children whom Gene cherished. Gene was also blessed with twelve beautiful grandchildren, who affectionately called him "Papa". Papa treasured his grandchildren and showered them with much love and attention. Gene was a true family man and raised his family to be close and loving with each other. His legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren who loved him and will miss him dearly.
Gene is also survived by his children: Brenda (Massey) Foxen and her husband Peter, Sr. of Rocky Hill, Lori (Massey) Littmann and her husband Mark of Rocky Hill, Beth (Massey) Scully and her husband Jim of West Hartford, Bruce Massey and his wife Beth (O'Brien) of West Hartford; and his grandchildren: Peter, Jr., Abigail and Christian Foxen, Laura, Jenna, Tyler and Marisa Littmann, James and Aidan Scully, and Erin, Rachel and Joshua Massey. Gene was predeceased by his parents and brother Paul and leaves behind his two sisters, Carol Ball and her husband Roger and Karen Porter and her husband David, a sister-in-law, Carol Smoots, and a niece and two nephews.
Gene graduated from El Paso High School in 1950. He served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Monrovia until 1954. He attended DeVry in Chicago, IL. He owned and operated a television sales and service business in Gridley, IL. Gene then became employed with General Electric Company. He worked in the Design Evaluation Lab in Bloomington, IL, later became Manager of Shop Operations. In 1970, he moved to Avon Lake, OH and ran the GE Manufacturing Operations for five years. In 1974, Gene came to the Plainville, CT Plant as Manager of Quality Control and Manufacturing Operations. He retired in 1994 from GE after a 35 year career.
Throughout his life Gene had a strong faith in his Lord. He was a member of the Lutheran Layman's League and choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in EL Paso, IL in addition to serving as President of the Congregation and Superintendent of Sunday School. Gene was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church in West Hartford since 1975 and served for many years as Lay Minister and member of the chancel choir.
In his earlier years, Gene was a HAM radio operator and he acquired his First Class Radio Operator's license while in El Paso. In recent years, Gene's interest in communication turned to the Internet, where he frequently shared jokes and interesting stories with family and friends. Gene had an interest in aviation and earned his private pilot's license in Ohio. Gene was a skilled handyman building his first home in Illinois in his spare time. Not one to sit idly by, Gene was always helping his children and grandchildren with different projects. He willingly and generously shared his time and talents with others. Gene enjoyed family outings, whether it was camping, skiing, boating, going on special vacations with family and friends or traveling home to Illinois for reunions. Golfing was another passion of Gene's.
He was employed at the TPC in Cromwell as a course ranger and advisor for the past thirteen years.
Gene lived his life well. All those who knew and loved him will keep Gene in their hearts forever.
The funeral service will be at Bethany Lutheran Church, 1655 Boulevard, West Hartford, on Thursday, (May 5, 2011) at 10 a.m. Calling hours will be on Wednesday, (May 4, 2011) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford. A private graveside service for family will be at Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gene's memory to Bethany Lutheran Church, 1655 Boulevard, West Hartford, CT 06107.
May 2, 2011
MASSEY, Merle Gene Merle Gene Massey, 79, of Rocky Hill and formerly of Wethersfield, a gentle man of faith, a devoted husband and beloved father and grandfather and a dear friend to many, left this world on April 28, 2011, in the same way he lived his life: peacefully and quietly.
Gene was born February 12, 1932, in Peoria, IL. He is survived by his best friend and the long-time love of his life, Elaine M. (Gottel) Massey.
Gene and Elaine became sweethearts in grade school in El Paso, Illinois. They were married on New Year's Day in 1953, which coincided with the 25th wedding anniversary of Elaine's parents, Alina and Arnold Gottel. Gene and Elaine joyously celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary this past January. "All because two people fell in love"...The Massey Family came to be. Together, Gene and Elaine raised four loving children whom Gene cherished. Gene was also blessed with twelve beautiful grandchildren, who affectionately called him "Papa". Papa treasured his grandchildren and showered them with much love and attention. Gene was a true family man and raised his family to be close and loving with each other. His legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren who loved him and will miss him dearly.
Gene is also survived by his children: Brenda (Massey) Foxen and her husband Peter, Sr. of Rocky Hill, Lori (Massey) Littmann and her husband Mark of Rocky Hill, Beth (Massey) Scully and her husband Jim of West Hartford, Bruce Massey and his wife Beth (O'Brien) of West Hartford; and his grandchildren: Peter, Jr., Abigail and Christian Foxen, Laura, Jenna, Tyler and Marisa Littmann, James and Aidan Scully, and Erin, Rachel and Joshua Massey. Gene was predeceased by his parents and brother Paul and leaves behind his two sisters, Carol Ball and her husband Roger and Karen Porter and her husband David, a sister-in-law, Carol Smoots, and a niece and two nephews.
Gene graduated from El Paso High School in 1950. He served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Monrovia until 1954. He attended DeVry in Chicago, IL. He owned and operated a television sales and service business in Gridley, IL. Gene then became employed with General Electric Company. He worked in the Design Evaluation Lab in Bloomington, IL, later became Manager of Shop Operations. In 1970, he moved to Avon Lake, OH and ran the GE Manufacturing Operations for five years. In 1974, Gene came to the Plainville, CT Plant as Manager of Quality Control and Manufacturing Operations. He retired in 1994 from GE after a 35 year career.
Throughout his life Gene had a strong faith in his Lord. He was a member of the Lutheran Layman's League and choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in EL Paso, IL in addition to serving as President of the Congregation and Superintendent of Sunday School. Gene was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church in West Hartford since 1975 and served for many years as Lay Minister and member of the chancel choir.
In his earlier years, Gene was a HAM radio operator and he acquired his First Class Radio Operator's license while in El Paso. In recent years, Gene's interest in communication turned to the Internet, where he frequently shared jokes and interesting stories with family and friends. Gene had an interest in aviation and earned his private pilot's license in Ohio. Gene was a skilled handyman building his first home in Illinois in his spare time. Not one to sit idly by, Gene was always helping his children and grandchildren with different projects. He willingly and generously shared his time and talents with others. Gene enjoyed family outings, whether it was camping, skiing, boating, going on special vacations with family and friends or traveling home to Illinois for reunions. Golfing was another passion of Gene's.
He was employed at the TPC in Cromwell as a course ranger and advisor for the past thirteen years.
Gene lived his life well. All those who knew and loved him will keep Gene in their hearts forever.
The funeral service will be at Bethany Lutheran Church, 1655 Boulevard, West Hartford, on Thursday, (May 5, 2011) at 10 a.m. Calling hours will be on Wednesday, (May 4, 2011) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford. A private graveside service for family will be at Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gene's memory to Bethany Lutheran Church, 1655 Boulevard, West Hartford, CT 06107.
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