Fr. Michael Massouh's Obituary
The Very Reverend Dr. Michael Massouh passed away on February 18th after a brief illness. Born in Canton, Ohio in 1939, Michael attended McKinley High School and Hiram College. He received a Masters in Science and a PhD in Science and Technology from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
He married Virginia Jacox in 1965, and they raised four children together, starting their family in upstate New York before moving to Brookline, MA where Michael was the Associate VP of Academic Affairs at Boston University. He was an active member of the National Association of Arab Americans, and returned to his parents’ homeland of Syria in 1979 and in 2008. The family moved to Holden, MA in 1984 where Michael worked as the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and later as the Dean of Graduate Studies at Worcester State College.
In 1999, Michael made the decision to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, the Very Rev. Spyridon Massouh. He attended St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY and entered the priesthood in the Antiochian Orthodox Church at the age of 60. Michael and Ginny then moved to Ligonier, PA where Michael was the Executive Director of the Antiochian Village Conference and Retreat Center. In 2005, Michael became the priest of his own congregation at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Seminole, Florida.
Michael had a positive impact on so many people he met throughout his life. He was the older brother to Carl, Jr. and Linda, father to Benjamin, Andrew, Theodora and Luke, and a loving husband and caretaker to his wife Ginny throughout her fight with Alzheimer’s. His friends from Hiram College were like extended family members, and he thrived in all the academic settings in which he worked. He had a religious radio show for many years on WTAG in the Worcester area, where he interviewed clergy members.
He was a professor up until the end, giving lectures on science and religion at Tatnuck Park Assisted Living Facility in Worcester, MA during his brief respite stay this fall. His vast collection of books provided amusement, knowledge and occasional consternation amongst his family. He played the piano every night after dinner, mostly tunes by George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin.
He leaves behind a legacy of deep faith, a love of music and fine art, and a commitment to education. He cherished his family, especially his wife Ginny, to whom he was married for almost 60 years. His family takes comfort in the knowledge that they have been reunited in the next realm.
Michael is survived by his brother Carl, Jr. (Cheryl) his sister Linda Bell (Greg), his children Benjamin, Andrew (Amy), Theodora and Luke (Sarah), and five grandchildren: Zachary, Solomon, Asa, Vivian and Leeloo. He will join his parents, Carl and Elizabeth Massouh, who preceded him in death.
He will have two services, one in Florida and one in Ohio. There will be a viewing, divine liturgy and funeral in Florida at 9 am on Friday, February 21st at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Pinellas Park. The viewing and funeral service at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Canton, Ohio will be held on Saturday, March 8th at 9 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Pinellas Park in Father Michael’s honor.
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