With great sadness, the family of Rocky Mason, 78, announce his passing on December 31, 2014 at home.
Rocky was born in Emo, Ontario on May 8, 1936 to Jack and Margaret Mason. His dad passed when he was two years old. At the age of 4, Rocky, his sister, and mom relocated to Dauphin, Manitoba, where he grew up on his step-dad’s farm.
Rocky moved back to Ontario in his late teens and worked driving truck, picking tobacco, and delivering Coca Cola in Southern Ontario. In 1955 he settled in Atikokan to work underground at Steep Rock Iron Mine and never left. This is where he met his wife of 54 years, Leona Barre. He also worked for years as a milkman and spent time as an insurance agent, probation and parole officer, waiter/bartender, and custodian. He was very proud serving in his position as custodian of Atikokan Township Police until his retirement in 2002.
Rocky competed in mine rescue, archery, hockey, stock car racing, broomball, golf and curling. He was actively involved with the Lion’s Club for years and enjoyed dressing and acting up in the Lion’s Annual Spring Show. He was a very avid hunter and fisherman, and spent years sharing his passion with youth as an instructor of Hunter Safety Training. In his later years he was a diehard Jeff Gordon/NASCAR fan.
He had a good sense of humour, and it was still present a few hours before his passing. Honesty and trustworthiness were the two qualities he valued most about himself and others. Rocky was passionate about his family, who meant everything to him. His grandchildren were his sunshine on a cloudy day.
Rocky is lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his wife Leona; son Shane (Karen) of Kenora; daughter Cyndy (Burleigh) Ellek of Atikokan; daughter Crystal (John) Shirk of Peterborough; grandchildren Dustin, Kelsey and Melissa; sister Louise; sisters-in-law Dolores, Vina, Gloria, brother-in-law Louis and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his dad, step-dad, mother, and four brothers-in-law.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 7, at 1 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall. Interment will be at Little Falls Cemetery, Atikokan.
In Rocky’s memory, donations may be made to the Atikokan General Hospital Foundation.
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