Roger Peter Masse, 81, of West Warwick, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Born in East Greenwich, he was the son of the late Ernest and Alice (Saucier) Masse. He was the loving husband of the late Sandra E. (Bell) Masse.
Roger worked as a Machinist for the Bostitch Corporation for 36 years retiring at 56. He enjoyed showing his 1967 Ford Galaxie at car shows, visiting Foxwoods for bingo and gambling in casinos all over the world. His real joy was spending time and traveling with his family. He loved family cookouts, dinners and gatherings, especially “Half Day Friday Deck Parties”.
His love for travel with his family took him on many adventures. He twice walked on The Great Wall of China. He bathed with elephants in Thailand. He climbed the rock of Gibraltar and played with the monkeys. While in London he witnessed the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and heard Big Ben’s Midday Chimes as it struck 12 noon. He watched polar bears patrol the Canadian tundra in Churchill Canada. He soaked in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon and then witnessed the Northern Lights. He rode Camels in the dessert of Dubai and went to the top of the Burj Khalifa. He kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland. In Italy he climbed the leaning tower of Pisa, rode gondolas in Venice and ate gelato in Rome’s Piazza Navona. He visited the Acropolis in Greece. He was able to visit 3 different Disney parks; Orlando FL, Anaheim CA and Shanghai China. While getting to visit most of our National Parks he particularly enjoyed gazing at our great Presidents on Mount Rushmore, standing at the Four Corners in the southwest and walking on the rim of the Grand Canyon. He sailed many of the world’s oceans and seas on 60+ cruises on one of which he and his Loving wife Sandy crossed the Atlantic on the QE2. He and Sandy also loved spending time with family at the house they built in New Hampshire where they enjoyed snowmobiling, snow skiing, campfires and viewing the wildlife.
He is survived by his beloved children, Darlene J. Harrington (Thomas) of Warwick, Roger P. Masse, Jr. of West Warwick, and Kevin P. Masse (Diana) of Cary, NC, his sister Lorraine Deming (Raymond) of Oneida, NY, five grandchildren, Brittney L. Sperduti (Daniel), Samantha L. Brown (Matthew), Kevin R. Masse (Kate), Valentina Plaza-Erazo (Erin), and Stephanie Bogdajewicz (Nick), and four great-grandchildren, Easton, Addalyn, Malcolm, and Sabrina, as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his siblings, the late Ernest Masse (Florence), Norman Saucier, Geraldine Masse and Yvonne Reed.
His Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 10:00AM at THE URQUHART-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 800 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick. Interment took place at Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery in North Kingstown.
Visitation was held at the Funeral Home on Monday, January 9, 2023, from 4:00PM-7:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105, are greatly appreciated.
www.murphyfuneralhomes.org
