Donald Terhune Massey

Don was born December 15, 1951 to Harold Massey and Ann Terhune Massey of Ridgewood, New Jersey. The eldest of three siblings, Don was affectionately called “Donnie” by his younger sisters. After a childhood filled with travel, reading, and playing baseball, Don graduated from The Loomis Institute in Windsor, Connecticut, in 1970. He went on to study American History at Yale University, where he graduated in 1974. After Yale, Don attended the University of Connecticut Law School, where he achieved his J.D. in 1977. For the next 35 years, Don would practice law in southern Maine, where he was respected for his talents in diverse areas of the law.

Although Don was proud of his professional accomplishments, his greater joy in life was his children, Bailey and Andrew, and his granddaughter, Maggie.

A dedicated member of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Yarmouth, Don volunteered in many areas of service, such as performing as lector, maintaining the church grounds, and leading the vestry. Don also demonstrated his loyal stewardship when, after Yarmouth Daycare lost its local campus, he encouraged St. Bart’s to open its doors, and the childcare center thrives there to this day.

Don loved music, especially the work of English singer-songwriters. He took his children to their first concerts, insisted on tidying the house to rock and roll, and wore out the cassette player in his car and the six CD changer in the living room. Don was a talented singer in his own right and performed tenor in the church choir for decades.

A consummate performer, Don demonstrated his snarky humor both on and off the stage. From starring in his high school productions, to reciting Shakespeare to his children, to directing the church Christmas pageant, to participating in a community production of Our Town last year, Don was always a thespian at heart.

Whip smart and quick-witted, Don loved to learn. He particularly enjoyed reading non-fiction and literary classics. Don even volunteered to run the church book sale—no doubt so he could get first dibs. Don inspired his children with his ever-growing bookshelf and was also a wonderful bedtime storyteller. He kept up with this tradition by recommending books to his two-year-old granddaughter, including the whimsical poems of T.S. Eliot.

In addition to his love of art and music, Don was a huge sports fan. He loved playing golf, softball, and baseball. He was a beloved player and teammate on the Giants of Maine Woods Baseball in Bath, playing across several age groups up until last year. Always a supporter of his children’s passions, Don loved coaching Little League and watching sports games with his son.

His loved ones will remember Don as a loyal friend, a sarcastic jokester, and a lifelong learner.

Don is survived by his son, Andrew Massey, his daughter, Bailey Magrann-Wells, his granddaughter, Margaret Magrann, his partner, Barbara Ann McHugh, his co-parent, Pam Waite, his daughter-in-law, Gillian Durkee, his son-in-law, Dillon Magrann-Wells, his sisters, Susan Herndon and L.J. Massey, as well as his cat, Fitz, his dog, Sherlock, and numerous friends and extended family members.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Yarmouth on Saturday, March 25th at 1 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Bartholomew’s Church in Yarmouth, Yarmouth Daycare, or Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.