Gerald "Jerry" Massa

Okemos, Michigan

Taken into the hands of the Lord on December 17, 2011; born November 26, 1931 in Norway, Michigan. Jerry graduated from Michigan State College in 1954 with honors, with a degree in Civil Engineering, and became a Professional Engineer (P.E.). He retired from Granger Construction as a V.P. after 35 years of service. He taught many young men the trade of estimating. He was an avid MSU sports fan and contributor to the Spartan Fund. He was a longtime member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church and later a founding member of St. Martha Parish and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Following retirement, his love was the little Village of Pentwater where he had a home and many close friends. He was a member of St. Vincent Parish, Pentwater and Pentwater Artisan Learning Center. He had no greater love than for his family and his many friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Nina Therese Massa in 1981. Surviving are his wife, Marilyn, whom he married in 1959 in Bessemer, Michigan; daughter, Lisa (David) McAlvey of Okemos; 2 sons, Damian (Cheryl) Massa of Williamston and Darryl (Julie) Massa of Holt; grandchildren, Alisha, Damian, Jr., Nathanial, Rochelle Massa; Megan, Maddi, Mariah Massa; Christian, Nina and Matthew McAlvey; 2 brothers, James Massa of Okemos and Jack (Linda) Massa of LaCrosse, WI; 2 sisters, Mary Lou Massie of Bergland, MI and Donna (Robert) Maccani of Wawatosa, WI. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, December 22, 11:00 AM at St. Martha Parish, 1100 W. Grand River Avenue, Okemos with the Rev. Jonathan Wehrle and the Rev. Andrew Czajkowski, officiating. The Rite of Committal will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Lansing. The family will receive friends at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 W. Grand River Avenue, East Lansing Wednesday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM. Those desiring may make contributions to St. Martha Parish Building Fund or Great Lakes Caring Hospice, 3100 A West Road, Suite 100, East Lansing, MI 48823 in memory of Jerry.On line condolences may be made at www.greastlansing.com