Obituary - John Mason

Passed away on February 12, 2026

Obituary

John Montgomery Mason

John Montgomery Mason passed away on February 12, 2026. John was born in Fairfield, Connecticut, where he lived until the 7th grade. The family then moved to Huntington, Indiana. He graduated from Huntington High School in 1963 and attended H.S. reunions every few years. He loved these gatherings and always attended.

John received his Bachelor’s from Depauw University in Indiana and his Master’s in Marine Biology from the University of Rhode Island.

He worked for many years at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researching the Life History and Fisheries of the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. He then became employed in Dover, Delaware, for several years at the National Marine Fisheries Service. John then worked until his retirement with the New York State Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Marine Resources, where he managed Demersal fish (or groundfish) that live, feed, and reside on or near the bottom of the seafloor. These species are essential to commercial and recreational fishing along the Northeast Coast.

John loved sailing. His father, John Montgomery Mason Sr., taught him to sail as John taught his son Jeremy to sail on Long Island Sound. Much of the Spring and Fall was devoted to sailboat races.

In 1974, John married Barrie Orr, who predeceased him in 1992. In 1996, John married Daphne Zacker. They resided in New York and Massachusetts before moving to Shell Point Retirement Community in Florida.

John devoted much of his time to church work and attended St. Mark’s, Westhampton Beach, and St. Andrews on Long Island, N.Y., where he served on the Vestry and many committees. Upon moving to Fort Myers, he was very active at St. Michael’s and All Angels, Sanibel.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on April 17, 2026. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Michael and All Angels, 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL. 33957, Rector's Discretionary Fund.

Surviving John are his wife, Daphne Mason; son, Jeremy Mason; brother, David Mason; sister, Sally Crowell; brother-in-law, Howard Crowell; niece, Judy Deasy; nephew, David Crowell; and nephew, Daniel Mason.

Page Last Modified: 03/26/26