Obituary of Paul Massuet
MASSUET, Paul,
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Paul Massuet at Hospice Niagara on Saturday January 27, 2018. Beloved husband of the late Mimi (2017). He is survived by, and will be greatly missed by his loving son Philip (Sandy), 4 Grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Paul was born in Paris, France in 1925, the youngest of 3 siblings. His happy childhood memories included roller skating the long halls of his family’s Paris apartment, spending time with his family at their summer home outside Paris and playing tennis and other games with his siblings. When in college, and during the German occupation of France, Paul joined the French Resistance until the liberation of Paris in 1944. He then joined the Second Armored Division (under General Leclerc) for the duration of the war, fighting in Germany, being wounded then decorated, with the rest of his division by General Patton.
After his discharge from the army, Paul and Mimi’s life together began in Paris, where she was working as a fashion model and he as an aircraft mechanic. He later held various positions with General Motors, having been trained in the engineering division and eventually becoming service manager of different dealerships in Vichy, Nimes and Nancy (France).
In 1957, Paul, Mimi and five year old Philip emigrated to Canada. Working hard to support his family, Paul obtained employment at a GM dealership in Toronto, while taking courses in business and economics. Paul held various positions in the lumber industry, then other posts in the sanitation and cleaning sectors, from where he retired as Director of Marketing in 1987. Paul and Mimi returned to Mimi’s home town of Poitiers, France at this time, and Paul was offered a position as a manufacturer rep. covering Western Europe and Saudi Arabia.
In 1994, Paul and Mimi returned to Canada, settling in Niagara to be close to their son and daughter in law. Paul became involved in Rotary while in France and continued his involvement with the St. Catharines South Club for many years, receiving the Paul Harris Fellowship in 2009. Paul and Mimi developed many lasting friendships through Rotary and the St. Catharines Golf Club where he held a membership for 23 years. His golfing partners and close friends, Bob (Carolynne) Canham and Bob (Doreen) Tropea will miss him dearly.
Even though Paul’s health steadily declined over the last few years, and hospital admissions became more frequent, his fierce independence kept him committed to living life to the fullest. As recently as November 2017, his love of travel culminated in a final memorable trip to Cuba with his son.
Phil and Sandy would like to express their sincere appreciation to Paul’s devoted caregivers for their kind support during his final days, including Anna Schmoll and her staff at RoseHill Lane and the always compassionate staff of Hospice Niagara. The family will receive guests at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME, 585 Carlton St., on Friday, February 2, 2018 from 4-7p.m. Cremation has taken place. The family would appreciate donations made in Paul’s memory to Hospice Niagara.