DR. JOHN MASON
Dr. John Owen Mason, V.M.D., 86, died peacefully on April 30, 2013 at his home in Boone, NC surrounded by his loving family.
Born June 21, 1926 in East St. Louis, IL, John was the son of Dan Owen Mason and Elizabeth Louise (Rusch) Mason. In his early life his family moved to New Jersey where he went to the local schools. In 1944, John enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Germany until 1946. He was a sergeant in Troop C of the 92nd Calvary Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized 12th Armored Division and was present at the liberation of a train of prisoners from Dachau, Germany. Following World War II, John attended Rutgers University and then graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
In 1952, John married June Carol Wardell, his wife of 61 years. Following his graduation, he completed his internship and residency in large animal surgery at the Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, NY. In 1955, John opened a practice in large and small animal veterinary medicine in Norwich, NY, retiring in 1988. After his retirement, John and June spent their summers in Norwich and winters in Bradenton, FL where he enjoyed sailing before settling in Boone, NC in 2011.
John was an accomplished woodworker, wooden sailboat builder and stained glass artisan. He was a voracious reader, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
John is survived by his wife, June, of Boone; sons, Christopher and his wife, Christie, of Blossvale, NY, David, of Freehold, NJ, Andrew and his wife, Lynne, of Boone and Phillip and his wife, Sharon, of Norwich. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Carolyn and her husband, Richard Ward, of Boone, John Paul and his wife, Elizabeth, of Minneapolis, MN, Alexandria, of Freehold, Mairi and Morag, of Blossvale and Bonnie, of Norwich as well as 3 great grandchildren, Drew and Bennett Ward and Arlo Owen Mason, all of Boone. Also surviving is a brother, Dan Mason, of Budd Lake, NJ. John was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Maude.
Private graveside services for John will be held at the convenience of the family in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2014.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of John may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes Street, Norwich, NY 13815.
Condolences may be sent to John’s family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.