MILLINOCKET – Peter H. Mason, M.D., 89, died Wednesday, January 28, 2015 in Millinocket. He was born November 21, 1925 in Willows, California, the son of the Rev. Otis L Mason and Ella A. (Olsen)
Mason.
Being the son of a pastor, Peter moved several times as a child,
living in Willows, California, Greeley, Colorado, Somerville,
Massachusetts, and eventually in Saco, Maine, where he was living when
graduating from Thornton Academy. Peter served in the U.S. Navy
during World War II in the V 12 program, and was drafted into the U.S.
Air Force during the Korean War as part of the “Doctor Draft”, serving
as Surgeon-Captain at the Sampson Air Force Base in Geneva, New York.
He worked on his undergraduate studies at Bowdoin College and Bates
College, and attended Dartmouth Medical School, and earned his M.D. at
Tufts University Medical School in 1948. After completing his college
education, medical school, and surgical training, he moved to Millinocket in 1955 where he established a surgical practice. He maintained his practice for 40 years. In 1976, Randy Jackson, P.A. joined the practice and worked with him until 1995, when Dr. Mason
retired. During his 40 year career in Millinocket, Peter was a
surgeon at Millinocket Regional hospital, serving as chief surgeon
from 1955 to 1980, and was president of the medical staff there from
1980-1985. He was an instructor in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and
Advanced Trauma Life Support, and was president of the Maine Chapter
of the American College of Surgeons from 1972-1973. During his years
of practice, Peter was a member of the New England Surgical Society,
the AMA, the American College of Surgeons, and the Society of American
Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. His board certifications were
Diplomate with the American Board of Surgery (1957), Fellow with the
American College of Surgeons (1959), and Diplomate with the National
Board of Medical Examiners (1949).
When not practicing medicine, Peter enjoyed boating and water skiing
on North Twin Lake with family, and in the winter months down hill and
cross country skiing. An avid hunter and fisherman, Peter loved fly
fishing for trout at Daicey Pond, and bird hunting with his Brittany
and Gordon Setters. A violinist, Peter held a lifelong appreciation
for music. He organized a quartet of singers in the Katahdin Region,
the Timbertones, who sang Barbershop music for several years. Over
the course of time, Peter developed a botanical interest in finding
and identifying wild Maine orchids. He will be missed by many in the
community he served so well for so many years.
Peter is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara A. (Hansen) Mason
of Millinocket; three children, Sarah Toye and her husband Lawrence of
Burlington, MA, Mark Mason, DVM and his wife Patricia of Brunswick,
and Christopher Mason of Walden, MA; four grandchildren, Bethany
O’Regan and her husband Keith of Burlington, MA, Cody Mason of
Portland, Hansen Mason of Boston, MA, and Tucker Mason of Brunswick; a
former daughter in law, Gail Mason, DVM of Brunswick; and three great-
grandsons, Keon, Cole, and Kaden O’Regan, all of Burlington, MA.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of
Cummings Health Care, Katahdin Health Care, Millinocket Regional
Hospital for the excellent care given to Peter and the many courtesies
extended to the family over the past few years.
Memorial services will be held 11 A.M. Saturday, February 7 at St.
Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 40 Highland Ave., Millinocket, with the
Rev. Levering Sherman, pastor, officiating.
Gifts in memory of Peter may be sent to Katahdin Health Care Activity
Fund, 22 Walnut St., Millinocket, ME 04462, Millinocket Regional
Hospital, 200 Somerset St., Millinocket, ME 04462, or to St. Andrew’s
Episcopal Church, 50 Highland Avenue, Millinocket, ME 04462.
Arrangements are by Lamson Funeral Home, Millinocket. Messages of
condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.