Bluegrass great and local musician Brian Paul Mason, 59, of Pittston, passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 9 at the Veterans Hospital in West Roxbury, Mass.
He was born in Gardiner, and later moved to Pittston.
Brian was a self-taught musician who started playing at the age of eight. He was a legend in the Maine and Canadian bluegrass and country music circuit playing in bands such as The Misty Mountaineers, Bob and Grace French and the Rainbow Valley Folks, White Mountain Bluegrass, Shady Creek, The Morse Brothers and The Prindalls, and The Karl Shiplitt Up Country Band, just to name a few. He mastered the guitar, both lead and rhythm, as well as the banjo, mandolin, bass, and fiddle.
Brian served in the U.S. Marine Corps from June 1966-June 1969.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 4, where he served as Commander from 1990-1992.
He received the prestigious Harold Carter Memorial Award presented by the Downeast Country Music Association for Outstanding Country Fiddler in 1999.
Brian was an avid fly fisherman and hunter, but his greatest joys were mentoring young bluegrass musicians and just sitting around jamming with his friends. He was admired and loved by many for his musical abilities. He was first and foremost a musician who is sadly missed by all.
He was predeceased by his parents, Harvey and Harriet Mason, and sisters Beulah Williams and Phyllis Nicola.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sharon Goggin of Pittston; daughter, Desi-Rae Severson and husband Dwayne of Waldoboro; son, Joshua Mason of Woodside, N.Y.; grandson, Keanen Bowden of Farmingdale; sisters, Doris Jodry and husband Ken of Eustis, Joan Hiltz and husband Manly Sr. of Chelsea, Rose Scribner of Indian Island, Brenda Bonsant and husband Ted of Windsor, and Nancy Godbout and husband Philip of Farmingdale; brothers, Harvey Mason and wife Juanita of Chelsea, Gilbert Mason and wife Betty of Weeks Mills, Howard Mason and wife Annette of Augusta, and Dewayne Mason and wife Linda of Chelsea; and many, many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours held Aug. 16 at Staples Funeral Home in Gardiner.
Graveside service with full military honors held Aug. 17 at the New Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Mt. Vernon Rd., Augusta. A gathering of friends and family followed at the American Legion Post 4 in Gardiner.
Weekend tribute/celebration of his life Fri.-Sun., Sept. 21, 22, 23 at the residence of Glen Bowman on the Lewiston Rd. in West Gardiner.
