Paul Nelson Massing, age 88, of Amelia Island, FL passed away on Friday, June 22, 2018 at the Community Hospice Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring.

He was born to the late Clarence Peter and Naomi Parks Massing on June 26, 1929 in Buffalo, NY. The family lived in Kenmore, NY where he graduated from Kenmore High School in 1947. After graduating high school he was an honors graduate of the Albright Art School in Buffalo, NY in 1950. He enlisted in the US Army and served honorably from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean Conflict. He married his sweetheart Maureen Allen in 1954. Together they raised their 5 children in Tonawanda, NY before relocating to Houston, TX. His entire professional career he worked for Union Carbide on a number of important projects including rocket fuels, wastewater treatment, and oilfield services where he travelled extensively. After retirement he and Maureen made their home on Amelia Island in 1991.

With his lifelong dedication to art Paul exhibited his work frequently wherever he lived. As a member of the Buffalo Art Society he partook in annual exhibitions and frequently exhibited at The Allentown Art Show in downtown Buffalo.

Amelia Island has benefited from Paul in many ways. As an artist he donated his time and resources to the Island Art Association. His weekly life drawing sessions drew a variety of artists for a concentrated experience capturing the likenesses of local models from the island. Paul never met a stranger and has been flirting with most of female population of the island along with many of its visitors. Due to his propensity for long winded conversation, many considered Paul an ambassador if not a de-facto governor of the island. Paul designed T-shirts and posters for the annual shrimp festival, exhibited his art work across the island and the state, illustrated many books with local authors, and his large painted map of the island at the Residence Inn has guided many out of town visitors.

After 57 years of marriage he lost his beloved Maureen in 2011.

Surviving family members include Paul�s older sister Mary Andrews of St. Petersberg, FL and her many children, grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Paul is survived by his children, Patricia A. Hall of Raleigh, NC, Paula L. Poole of Fresno, CA, Peter A. Massing of Jacksonville, FL, Jack A. Massing and his wife Star of Houston, TX, Molly A. Massing of Amelia Island, FL; grandchildren, Allen, Stephanie, Katherine, Peter, Max; and great-grandchildren, Ireland, Circee, Cavell and Carmen.

A service of remembrance for Paul Massing will be held at the Amelia Plantation Chapel, 36 Bowman Rd., Amelia Island, FL, on Friday June 29th, 2018 at 11 am. Later that day, there will also be a remembrance for family and friends of Paul from 4 to 6 pm at the Island Art Association located at 18 North 2nd Street, Fernandina Beach, FL.

Donations may be made in Paul Massing�s memory to the Community Hospice Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring or the Island Art Association.

https://www.communityhospice.com/give/

http://islandart.org/membership-sponsorship/