Mason Britton Jr., 87, of Southport, died peacefully in the Gregory Wing at St. Andrews Village on Aug. 12. Born in Great Neck, N.Y. on May 19, 1923, Mason was the son of Mason and Anne Hugus Britton, and was a longtime resident of Southport.
A graduate of The Hill School, Class of 1941, Mason attended Cornell University where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He proudly served in WWII and the Korean War aboard LSM’s and LST’s as a Naval Engineering Officer before being honorably discharged after a debilitating accident in 1952. Despite severely injuring his leg, which left him unable to pursue a physically active life, he never complained about his condition and channeled his energies into his passion for sailing.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Mason established himself as a premier sailor, competing in numerous regattas including the Monhegan, Block Island, and Bermuda Races. He was extremely proud of his skills as a sailor and along with his brother, Wright, who predeceased him, oversaw the construction of two boats at Paul Luke’s Boatyard in East Boothbay during the 1950s and 1960s. The sailboats were considered state-of-the-art.
In his professional life, Mason worked for Grumman Aircraft, Cincinnati Milling Machine Company, where he headed the company’s sales offices in the northeast, and founded his own company, Britton Industries in the 1960s, which primarily served the aerospace industry. Upon moving to Maine in 1972, Mason founded Britton of Southport, which still serves the marine industry today.
Mason loved the Boothbay region from the moment he came to the area in the 1930s. He devoted many years to serving the community. He served as a trustee at the YMCA and St. Andrews Hospital and was a member of the Southport Fire Department and a member of the Southport Planning Board. In addition, he was a founding representative of the regional ambulance service. He was a longtime member of the Southport Yacht Club, Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club, and Storm Trysail Club.
He enjoyed the company of people whether serving the community in various roles or visiting with friends at Earl Pratt’s General Store or The Southport Memorial Library.
Joan and Mason were devoted to one another for 51 years, raising children, and making a life together. One of many cherished moments was their trip down the Intercoastal Waterway in 1986. They traveled on Gleam, a 34′ cruiser that Mason built. An avid woodworker, over the years Mason built many beautiful things from furniture to skiffs. He also was an avid sports fan, rooting ardently for the Red Sox and New England Patriots.
Mason was predeceased by his son, Mason Britton III, and granddaughter, Constance Sowell.
Mason is survived by his wife, Joan Barbara Britton; children, Henry Berne and wife Leslie of Southport, Catherine Scott of Lagunitas, Cal., Lucy Sowell and husband Henry of Fairhope, Ala. and Charles Britton and wife Jennifer of Owings Mills, Md.; and 10 grandchildren who fondly knew him as “Bumpa.”
Memorial service 4 p.m., Sat., Sept. 18 at the Southport Yacht Club.
Donations in Mason’s name may be made to The Southport Junior Yacht Club Sailing Foundation, P.O. Box 68, Southport, ME 04576 and to The Southport Memorial Library, P.O. Box 148, Southport, ME 04576.
Condolences to the family may be made to hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home.
