Lt. Cmdr. Stuart James Mason, Jr., USN, Retired, chose Memorial Day, May 31, 2004, to leave this planet. He died surrounded by his family in his Anacortes home. While his passing ends his time here on Earth, his impact on the lives of his family and friends will never fade.

Stu was born in Portland, Ore., Sept. 8, 1921. As a child he endured poverty and abuse that served to strengthen his resolve to rise above his situation. He joined the U.S. Navy March 9, 1939, at the age of 17, and he often said that after his first Navy meal of steak and eggs, “I knew I’d found a home.” His Navy career spanned 28 years and three wars. In World War II he served on the USS Enterprise and earned a Purple Heart as a combat air crewman in the Battle of Midway. He went on to fly in 40 combat missions in Korea, and while serving as the officer in charge of the Navy RBS site at Geiger AFB in Spokane, he was honored as the first Navy non-pilot to be designated combat-ready by the Air Force in F-89s.

His retirement in 1967 as a lieutenant commander marked the beginning of a new tour of duty. His experiences in the Navy and his love of boats often took Stu and the whole family to the many docks, shipyards, and marinas that proliferate in the Pacific Northwest. This love led him to commercial fishing. He and another retiree, Cmdr. James Keating, together with their wives founded Island Trollers, Inc., in April, 1966. They bought a commercial trolling vessel, the Oslo, and fished for salmon and albacore the first summer following their retirement from the Navy. Stu continued to fish commercially for the next 28 years. But his focus shifted.

Stu always dreamed of building a fishing sailboat. So after a few seasons of fishing, the Oslo was sold, the Keatings went on to other interests, and Island Trollers became a family-owned corporation. This enabled the purchase of a 65-foot Ferro cement hull in the early 1970s. Stu spent his summers fishing on other boats and the rest of his time building his sailboat, the Aura, from the hull up. It was a labor of love driven by his passion and vision. From the maiden voyage in 1985 with three generations on board, until he finally retired from fishing in 1996, his dedication to his dream served to inspire all who knew him.

After his second retirement, he dedicated much of his time to correspondence with others who served on the Enterprise with him during World War II. He was inducted in the Enlisted Combat Aircrew Roll of Honor aboard the Yorktown on Nov. 11, 1997, and was known and respected as an historical resource for the battles in the Pacific Area in World War II. Stu enjoyed renewing old friendships, and became a popular speaker, sharing his many close calls during the Battle of Midway and the other missions he flew in his career.

Stu is survived by Betty, his bride of 53 years; brother Ralph and Claire Mason of Reading, Pa.; son Larry and Cynthia Mason, son Stuart Mason and Kim Kemp, all of Oak Harbor; daughter April and Ernie Felguth, grandchildren Chris Felguth and Jessamy Felguth Steele, and great grandson Maximillian Steele, all of Salem, Ore.; and daughter Charlotte and Dick Armstrong of Scottsdale, Ariz. The family will honor Stu’s request that no service be held. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Skagit Hospice Foundation, PO Box 1376, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

Although his soul has departed and we miss his presence, his spirit lives on in our hearts, our actions, and our thoughts. He is indelibly etched in each of our lives. We wish him smooth sailing and good fishing for his next tour of duty.

So long for now, Dad.