Obituary for Gerald "Jerry" Massa
Gerald “Jerry” L Massa., of Bristol, RI passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 29th. He was born in Syracuse, NY on January 19, 1955. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Lois, who was the love of his life and his faithful cheerleader. He is also survived by brothers Dan (Kim), Lou (Anne) and sister Karen (Sanford), 13 nieces and nephews and 9 grand nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents Louis and Patricia Massa.
Jerry was a five-sport high-school athlete at Jamesville-Dewitt High School in DeWitt, NY. His success in football and lacrosse ultimately led him to Brown University, competing in both sports while also serving as President of Delta Tau Fraternity. He graduated with a BA in Sociology in 1977.
Jerry began his business career in Philadelphia, returning to Providence in 1983 to initiate his thirty-three-year career in the financial services industry.
His true passion was Brown University and, especially, Brown Athletics. He was the current President of the Brown Football Association, (BFA), which he had served since 1986 and as president since 2009. During his tenure, Jerry was instrumental in developing programs in career counseling and alumni mentoring in support of the players, as well as fundraising campaigns to provide the resources to help the team compete at the highest levels. Additionally, he spearheaded programs that blended Brown football with the greater Providence community, including a Literacy Day outreach and Brown Athletics’ first ever Military Appreciation ceremony.
In 1991 the BFA honored Jerry with the Andrew J. Joslin ’65 Award which recognizes outstanding contributions to Brown Football, and he was recognized in 2002 with the John “Jay” Berry ’50 Award in, the “coaches” award for efforts and energies which have enhanced the success of the team. On October 22, 2016, Jerry was inducted into the Brown Athletic Hall of Fame, receiving the Paul L. Maddock ’33 Award for an individual who has gone to the extreme in support of Brown Athletics.
Until his death, he also served on the Board of the Brown Athletic Hall of Fame, the Brown Faculty Club and the Ivy Football Association. Additionally, Jerry enjoyed tenures as a Board Member on the Veterans Memorial Foundation, the RI Convention Center Authority, Providence Economic Development Partnership and Justice Assistance Association.
Jerry retired and moved back with Lois to Bristol, RI last August. He was filled with love for life, love for his wife, and gave his time generously to others, never too busy to help a student, a friend, or business associate.
Visitation will be Friday, August 4th, from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Monahan, Drabble & Sherman Funeral Home, 230 Waterman St., Providence. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 5th, at 10 AM, at the First Baptist Church in America, 75 North Main St., Providence.
In lieu of flowers, his family is suggesting contributions to the Brown University Football Association, C/O Brown Sports Foundation, ATTN: Liz Lussier, PO Box 1925, Providence, R.I. 02912.
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Jerry was a five-sport high-school athlete at Jamesville-Dewitt High School in DeWitt, NY. His success in football and lacrosse ultimately led him to Brown University, competing in both sports while also serving as President of Delta Tau Fraternity. He graduated with a BA in Sociology in 1977.
Jerry began his business career in Philadelphia, returning to Providence in 1983 to initiate his thirty-three-year career in the financial services industry.
His true passion was Brown University and, especially, Brown Athletics. He was the current President of the Brown Football Association, (BFA), which he had served since 1986 and as president since 2009. During his tenure, Jerry was instrumental in developing programs in career counseling and alumni mentoring in support of the players, as well as fundraising campaigns to provide the resources to help the team compete at the highest levels. Additionally, he spearheaded programs that blended Brown football with the greater Providence community, including a Literacy Day outreach and Brown Athletics’ first ever Military Appreciation ceremony.
In 1991 the BFA honored Jerry with the Andrew J. Joslin ’65 Award which recognizes outstanding contributions to Brown Football, and he was recognized in 2002 with the John “Jay” Berry ’50 Award in, the “coaches” award for efforts and energies which have enhanced the success of the team. On October 22, 2016, Jerry was inducted into the Brown Athletic Hall of Fame, receiving the Paul L. Maddock ’33 Award for an individual who has gone to the extreme in support of Brown Athletics.
Until his death, he also served on the Board of the Brown Athletic Hall of Fame, the Brown Faculty Club and the Ivy Football Association. Additionally, Jerry enjoyed tenures as a Board Member on the Veterans Memorial Foundation, the RI Convention Center Authority, Providence Economic Development Partnership and Justice Assistance Association.
Jerry retired and moved back with Lois to Bristol, RI last August. He was filled with love for life, love for his wife, and gave his time generously to others, never too busy to help a student, a friend, or business associate.
Visitation will be Friday, August 4th, from 4:00-7:00 PM at the Monahan, Drabble & Sherman Funeral Home, 230 Waterman St., Providence. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 5th, at 10 AM, at the First Baptist Church in America, 75 North Main St., Providence.
In lieu of flowers, his family is suggesting contributions to the Brown University Football Association, C/O Brown Sports Foundation, ATTN: Liz Lussier, PO Box 1925, Providence, R.I. 02912.
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