David James Mason, 26, died in the early morning hours of March 6 after a courageous battle with lung cancer. In his short life, David touched many people through his easy smile, willingness to answer the call for help and strong personal character.
David graced his parents Charlene Donahue and Scott Mason with his birth on Nov. 27, 1988. Growing up in Whitefield, David easily made friends, young and old, during his time at Whitefield Elementary School, Lincoln Academy and the many adventures he engaged in. His dad Scott passed away from cancer when David was six and his brother Brian was eight.
Through his formative youth, David displayed a wisdom and maturity beyond his years with an exceptional aptitude for mechanical challenges combined with Maine ingenuity. During his teen years, he spent virtually all of his free time at David and Rachel Richmond’s Hundred Acre Wood horse farm in Jefferson where he developed a love for two things, horses and Sarah Kramer, with whom he found a lifelong companionship until his dying breath last week.
His love for the sea developed during and after his high school years during three summers working as an apprentice, deckhand and senior deckhand on the schooner Nathaniel Bowditch out of Rockland Harbor. His love for horsemanship led him to the Oklahoma Horseshoeing School where he completed a comprehensive course of study to become a farrier.
Despite the many skills he developed while working at the Darling Marine Center in Walpole and at Specialty Products Corp. in Coopers Mills, his passion in life was following in his father’s footsteps as a member of the Coopers Mills (Whitefield) Volunteer Fire Department. In his eight years as both an active fire fighter and Emergency Medical Technician, David answered the call to aid his neighbors in their time of need on countless occasions regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. His leadership skills were recognized and he was appointed a Lieutenant at the Whitefield Fire Department and elected president of the Coopers Mills Volunteer Fire Association.
David leaves behind the love of his life, Sarah Kramer of Coopers Mills; beloved brother, Brian Mason of Brunswick; proud mother, Charlene Donahue of Whitefield; grandparents, Edith and Richard Mason of Gorham; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and those who called him friend.
A celebration of David’s life will be held at 1 p.m., Sat., March 14 in the gymnasium of the Whitefield Elementary School on Rt. 126 in Whitefield.
One way to honor David’s memory would be to volunteer in your community. Donations may be made in his loving memory to the Coopers Mills Volunteer Fire Department or the American Lung Association.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.directcremationofmaine.com.
