PARISHIONERS REMEMBERED IN GOVERNOR’S DEC. 9 COVID UPDATE
Below is a portion of the transcript of N.J. Governor Phil Murphy’s December 9 2020 Coronavirus Briefing in which he remembers Fran and Jack Massa who were parishioners of St. Michael’s since the 1980’s, and who passed away in the early stages of the COVID pandemic. The remembrance begins at minute:second 26:18.
We at St. Michael’s are grateful that Jack and Fran’s daughter, Michelle, alerted us to this lovely tribute to her parents, who were devoted members of our parish family. Although such a loss is much harder on family members, we who knew the Massas, and other parishioners who have died during the COVID pandemic, mourn their loss and regret not having been able to express in person our sympathy to their loved ones. All who gathered with these parishioners for Mass, prayer and social events at St. Michael’s hold them in our hearts and memories. To their families and friends we offer our prayerful condolences. Let us remember that we are united with them and each other in the bonds of faith and love, and we look forward to being more closely united with each other in God’s eternal embrace.
“Let’s take a minute and remember three more of the precious lives that we have lost.
“Today we remember a couple, look at those million-dollar smiles, huh? Jack and Frances Massa of Cranford. They enjoyed 60 years of marriage. COVID took them exactly one week apart from each other. Fran was a devoted mother and grandmother with an itch for travel and a lifelong thirst for learning. She earned a college degree while in her 60s. Music and performance were a central part of her life, whether it be singing in her church choir or starring in a number of community theater productions. And while her talents made sure her friends and family were always well entertained, her warmth and generosity ensured they were always welcomed and well fed.
“Exactly one week after Fran’s passing Jack too succumbed to COVID-19. He was, as was I might add, retired General Chuck Yeager who passed at the age of 97 on Monday, an American hero. Jack was a proud Air Force veteran. He also enjoyed a good game of poker, playing with a group of friends every Tuesday for more than 50 years. That sounds like a pretty well-established institutional gathering. Jack also owned several race horses over his lifetime and he loved a day at the Jersey Shore. His town was Avon By The Sea. Jack was a successful businessman who own multiple variety stores across the state. He built his career through the same set of values by which he raised his family and lived his life: honesty, dedication, generosity, and faith. And by the way, Jack would have turned 90 this past Monday on December 7th.
“Jack and Fran leave behind their surviving children, Michelle with whom I had the great honor of speaking on Monday. She’s also a Cranford native. She also had COVID and she is one of the many long haulers in the state. Judy and Ed in particular, in her case, as is the case for so many, it’s lung capacity that she is suffering from. So Michelle in Cranford, their daughter, Kristen, who lives in Minnesota and John who’s also local in New Jersey, and John also was COVID positive. Jack and Fran were predeceased by their blessed daughter Patricia, who died in 1986 at the age of 33 from complications from diabetes.
“They’re also being fondly remembered by their 11 grandchildren and a numerous number of siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. We are honored to have had Jack and Fran among our New Jersey family. We thank Jack for his service to our nation and Fran for her tremendous faith. May God bless and watch over each of them and their family.”