Charles David Mason

Charles David Mason was born in Boston, MA on December 15, 1928. In 1937 he moved with his family to Billerica, MA where he graduated from Howe High School in 1946. He sailed to ports around the world from 1946 to 1948 as an Able Bodied Seaman in the Merchant Marine (WWII Veteran status). He served in the Massachusetts National Guard during the Korean war. Charles graduated from Northeastern University in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. In 1955 he married Elsie Picard of Dorchester, MA a fellow engineering graduate of NU. Charles worked as an electronics engineer for MIT Lincoln lab and the FAA. He retired from NASA after 28 years in the manned space flight and satellite remote sensing programs. He retired in 1988 and made his home with wife Elsie in Nokomis, FL. Charles was an active aviator and aircraft owner for 78 years and served in leadership positions in the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Venice Airport Advisory Board. He was also a member of Thomas Talbot Lodge AF&AM, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assoc. and Sarasota Technology Users’ Group where he taught classes in digital photography for 15 years. Charles is survived by his son Stephen (Debbie) of Sarasota, his son David (Christina Molnar) of Peachtree City, GA, his daughter Linda of Sarasota, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

There will be a memorial service at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. 508 Riviera St., Venice, FL on 17 May 2025 at 9 AM and an interment service in Billerica, MA later this year.