R. Dean Mason, 94, a resident of Salem since 2017, died peacefully at his home, Sunday evening, June 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving and supportive family. Born in Coon Rapids, Iowa, he was raised and educated in St. Helens, Oregon, and was a member of the Saint Helens High School Class of 1948.

Mr. Mason enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1950, serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars as a Chief Petty Officer. He served for twenty-two years, starting on the destroyer USS Hickox as a radioman, and transitioning to submarines, serving aboard the USS Angler, USS Red Fish and USS Jack. Honorably discharged in 1972, he was a recipient of  several awards and medals including, The Meritorious Unit Commendation, The National Defense Service Medal, The China Service Medal, The United Nations Service Medal, The Korean Service Medal and several Good Conduct Medals. Following his discharge, Mr. Mason began a second career with the U.S. Postal Service, working as a postal clerk and carrier, retiring from the Attleboro, MA Post Office in 1992, after twenty years of service.

In his later years, Mr. Mason attended Fischer Junior College and received his Associates Degree. He was a former member of the Elks Lodge of Attleboro, MA, and enjoyed fishing, boating, and woodworking. He was known in his family for building furniture and several playground swing sets for his grandchildren. He was an avid reader, and he also enjoyed completing jigsaw puzzles and watching old westerns. He especially enjoyed spending time with family and playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of seventy-one years, Joan M. (Germano) Mason, two daughters, Karen Bramhall and her husband Thomas of Haverhill, MA, and Maryann Lanzikos and her husband James of Pittsfield, ME; two sons, Michael J. Mason and his wife Laura, of Cincinnati, OH and Timothy D. Mason of Portland, ME; a brother Donald Mason of California; two sisters, Linda Smith and Sharron Orcutt, both of Washington State; sister-in-law, Dorothy Germano of RI; brother-in-law, John Haberle of RI; twelve grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Ernest L. and Gladys W. Sapp, and by his grandson, Patrick Mason.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation to be held on Monday, June 16, 2025 from 3 to 4 p.m. at Berube-Comeau Funeral Home, 47 Broadway, Haverhill, MA. His funeral service will follow at 4:15 p.m. at the funeral home and will conclude with Military Honors rendered by the U.S. Navy. Relatives are asked to consider memorial donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society ntlms.org/give . To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a cherished memory, please visit: berubecomeau.com.

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