Obituary: Lawrence Masterson Jr., Retired Waltham Fire Lieutenant

The following is from Joyce Funeral Home.

Mr. Lawrence P. Masterson Jr., of Waltham, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge. He was 78.

Larry was born in Brooklyn, New York, on Aug. 1, 1936, a son of the late Lawrence P. Sr. and Margaret M. (Vail) Masterson. He moved to Waltham as a child and attended local schools. A standout baseball player at Waltham High, he joined the U.S. Navy after high school serving during the Korean War.

On Jan. 18, 1958, Larry married Newton native Mary B. Saunders in Saint Bernard’s Church in West Newton and the couple settled in Waltham where they raised their family and have been residents since. He joined the Waltham Fire Department and spent most of his 27-year career at Engine 4 on Prospect Street, retiring as a lieutenant.

Larry was an avid golfer, playing every chance that he could. He was a longtime member of the Inner Club at Wayland Golf Club. He had also been a former member of Our Lady’s Bowling League in Waltham.

He was a member of the Joseph F. Hill American Legion Post No. 156 and the PFC John M. Sullivan USMC Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 10334, both in Waltham.

In addition to his wife of 56 years, Mary, he leaves his children, David L.Masterson of Quincy, Lisa A. Masterson of Newton and Shawn P. Masterson of Waltham; his grandchildren, Candace Masterson, Bridget Teo and her husband Cesar, Ryan, Cathleen, Corey and Meghan Masterson; his great-grandchildren, Mariana, Oscar and Alex Teo; his brothers and sister, James Masterson and his wife Nancy of Waltham, Margaret ‘Peggy’ Mokeler and her husband Charlie of Dennis, Thomas Masterson and Mike Masterson, both of Waltham, and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Larry’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main St. (Route 20), Waltham, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 4-8 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. on Thursday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, where his funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.