Obituary of Doris H. Masi

LITTLE FALLS - Doris H. Masi, 88, a long time resident of the Fiery Hill Road, Town of Danube and more recently of Little Falls passed away Thursday, April 1, 2004 at Valley Health Services, Herkimer where she had been a resident since August 27, 2003. She was born on February 6, 1916 in the Town of Minden the daughter of the late Frederick J. and Goldie C. (Christman) Horender. She was educated in Freys Bush country school and was a graduate from Fort Plain High School at the age of 16 graduating 4th in her class. She was united in marriage to her husband of 48 years Doloris J. Masi on July 28, 1934 in St. Johnsville. Mr. Masi predeceased her on February 1, 1982. She was a member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness, Dolgeville Congregation. Mrs. Masi was first employed by the former Luxuray Co., Ft. Plain. In 1939 the couple purchased the Loyal Creek Farm on the Fiery Hill, Town of Danube, where she became a herdsman, and a member of the NFO and the Farm Bureau. She was also employed by the former Cherry-Burrell Corp, during the 1950s and obtained the first bulk milk tank for the farm in Herkimer County from this company. She and her husband enjoyed many years of bowling with neighbors at the VanHornesville Lanes. After retiring from farming she was employed as the bookkeeper for Stock's Garage, Inc., Little Falls until 2000. Being very civic minded she was a Civil Air Patrol observer during World War II and served at a Civil Defense Station during the Cold War. She served on the Owen D. Young School Board and was the tax collector for the Town of Danube for ten years. She was the family historian- genealogist and discovered the first family member arrived in New Amsterdam (New Netherland) in 1625. She was the author of eight books and enjoyed painting as well as teaching math and painting to her grandchildren. She is survived by her son David J. Masi and his wife Barbara, Ft. Plain, 4 daughters Diane Cagwin and her husband Keith, Newville, Rosemary Casadonte and her husband James, Herkimer, Elizabeth Mathy and her husband Richard, Sauquoit and Patricia Stock and her husband Roger, Little Falls; a brother Ralph Horender and his wife Elizabeth, Ft. Plain, 2 sisters; Lana Erhardt and her husband Robert, Ft. Plain and Shirley Trafton, Palatine Bridge; 14 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son Doloris Masi, Jr., who died in 1937, a daughter Johanna Masi, who died in 1949; 2 brothers Leonard Horender, KIA, Korea 1951 and Frederick Horender, who died in 1996; 2 sisters Hildegarde Salvione, who died in 1999 and Rosina Michalik, who died in 2003 and by a grandson David Joseph Masi, Jr., who died on February 11, 2000. Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 5, 2004 at 10:00 am from the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls. Interment will take place in St. Johnsville Cemetery, St. Johnsville later in the spring. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at the funeral home on Sunday, April 4, 2004 from 3-6 pm and to attend the funeral services Monday morning. In lieu of flowers it is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mrs. Masi be considered to the Valley Health Services, 690 E. German St., Ext., Herkimer, NY 13350. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home for this purpose.