Paul Nelson Massing, 88, of Amelia Island, Fla., passed away Friday, June 22, 2018 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.
He was born to the late Clarence Peter and Naomi Parks Massing on June 26, 1929 in Buffalo, N.Y. The family lived in Kenmore, N.Y., where he graduated from Kenmore High School in 1947. After graduating high school, he was an honors graduate of the Albright Art School in Buffalo in 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served honorably from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean Conflict. He married his sweetheart, Maureen Allen, in 1954. Together they raised their five children in Tonawanda, N.Y. before relocating to Houston, Texas. His entire professional career he worked for Union Carbide on a number of important projects including rocket fuels, wastewater treatment, and oilfield services where he travelled extensively. After retirement he and Maureen made their home on Amelia Island in 1991.
With his lifelong dedication to art, Paul exhibited his work frequently wherever he lived. As a member of the Buffalo Art Society, he partook in annual exhibitions and frequently exhibited at The Allentown Art Show in downtown Buffalo.
Amelia Island has benefited from Paul in many ways. As an artist he donated his time and resources to the Island Art Association. His weekly life drawing sessions drew a variety of artists for a concentrated experience capturing the likenesses of local models from the island. Paul never met a stranger and flirted with most of the female population of the island along with many of its visitors. Due to his propensity for long-winded conversation, many considered Paul an ambassador if not a de-facto governor of the island. Paul designed T-shirts and posters for the annual shrimp festival, exhibited his artwork across the island and the state, and illustrated many books with local authors, and his large painted map of the island at the Residence Inn has guided many out-of-town visitors.
After 57 years of marriage he lost his beloved Maureen in 2011.
Surviving family members include Paul’s older sister, Mary Andrews of St. Petersburg, Fla., and her many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Paul is survived by his children, Patricia A. Hall of Raleigh, N.C., Paula L. Poole of Fresno, Calif., Peter A. Massing of Jacksonville, Fla., Jack A. Massing and his wife, Star, of Houston, and Molly A. Massing of Amelia Island; grandchildren, Allen, Stephanie, Katherine, Peter, and Max; and great-grandchildren, Ireland, Circee, Cavell and Carmen.
A service of remembrance for Paul Massing will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 29, 2018 at the Amelia Plantation Chapel, located at 36 Bowman Road on Amelia Island. Later that day, there will also be a remembrance for family and friends of Paul from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Island Art Association, located at 18 N. Second St. in Fernandina Beach, Fla.
Donations may be made in Paul Massing’s memory to Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla. or the Island Art Association:
• communityhospice.com/give
• islandart.org/membership-sponsorship
Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com/paul-massing.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors