Nick A. Mastas
"World's Greatest New York Yankees Fan"
LOWELL Nick A. Mastas, 100, of Lowell, died peacefully Thursday, August 18, 2011 with his family by his side. He was the husband of Mary (Welch) Mastas who passed away on April 30, 1988 and the father of Tony Mastas who passed away in February 28, 2006.
He was born in Lowell on July 26, 1911 in the back of a horse and buggy on the way to the hospital. He was the youngest of four children of the late Anthony, and the late Jenny (Ekonomakos) Mastakouris.
He resided in Greece and Dracut, but Lowell was his home. He graduated from Lowell High School with the class of 1930 and later from Lowell Commercial College earning a Business Degree with the class of 1932.
Mr. Mastas served with the United States Army during World War II, and was a member of the 16th Fighter Control Squad. As an Army Ranger, he was awarded the Good Conduct and Sharpshooter medals.
Nick resided in the Highlands section of the city since December of 1986, and was a communicant of St. Margaret's Church. He was employed as a Postal Clerk for over twenty years with the United States Postal Service in Lowell, MA. Prior to working at the Post Office, he worked at the Merrimack Mills as a night watchman and before he was drafted into The Army he worked at Charlie Danas' on Bridge Street.
Nick was a member of the former St. Peter's Parish and the oldest living member of The Greek American Legion. He was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees. The first Yankees games he attended was in 1928 at Yankee Stadium, a doubleheader against Washington on a Sunday, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig were in the lineups. He loved animals, especially his dogs. The family would like to thank his devoted Nurses, Robin and Shelley of VNA Hospice of Greater Lowell for their loving kindness in caring for their family.
He is survived by a son, Gary N. Mastas and his wife, Sandy of Lowell; a daughter, Mary A. 'Bunnie' Kirane and her husband, Kevin of Lowell; three grandchildren, Matthew A. Mastas, Timothy P. Mastas, and Nick E. Mastas all of Lowell; two sisters in law, Margaret Hebert and Lillian Hebert both of Lowell; and a daughter in law, Linda Mastas of Lowell. He is also survived by his beloved dog, Kukla.
He was also brother of the late Dr. Bill Mastakouris, the late Pauline Manning, the late Stella Georgopoulos, brother in law of the late Anthony Welch, the late James Welch, the late Bill Welch, the late Ray Hebert, and the late Leo Hebert. He was also the caretaker for his beloved dogs Tammy, Yankee, and Buddy who have all passed away and are waiting for him at the Rainbow Bridge.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 4 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 21. ON MONDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 8:30 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL (978 OR 800) 458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. MARGARET'S CHURCH AT 9:30 A.M.. BURIAL IN ST. PATRICK CEMETERY. MEMORIALS IN HIS NAME TO THE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF GREATER LOWELL, 336 CENTRAL STREET, LOWELL, MA 01852 OR THE LOWELL HUMANE SOCIETY, 951 BROADWAY STREET, LOWELL, MA 01854. PLEASE VISIT WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM TO SEND THE FAMILY AND E-CONDOLENCE AT ANY TIME.
