Obituary of WALTER W. MASSEFSKI

Walter W. Massefski, "Sonny/Beno" passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2014. He was born in Newark, NJ, the son of Helen (Miller) and Walter Massefski. At East Side High School he was an all-state football and baseball player where he met the love of his life, Carmelita (Fatigante) Massefski. Their love continued through 57 years of marriage and will endure forever. In the 1950s Walt followed his dream and played semi-pro baseball with multiple teams including the Paris Orioles, roomed with Brooks Robinson among others & played with many of the elite players of that era. He smiled when he told of hitting 2 home runs off of Whitey Ford in a game, had a lifetime batting average of .311 and laughingly told how he made it to the Cooperstown Hall of Fame by having signed a baseball submitted by an avid Orioles fan "Ma Kelly". Walt opened the Massefski Landscaping firm which enabled him to spend time with his sons as they were growing up. He was a loving father to his 3 sons, Walter and wife Heidi of Massachusetts, devoted son Michael of Bailey, Colorado, devoted son Scott and his caring wife Imara of Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey, and grandfather of 7. Walt was pre-deceased by his mother Helen, father Walter & dear brother Edward. He is survived by, and will be terribly missed by his beloved wife and soul-mate Carm, his sons & their wives, grandchildren, especially Andrew, with whom he has always had a special bond, dear sister Janet Marlow and husband Ray, dear brother Richard, brothers-in-law James and wife Judy, Joseph and wife Maryann, Michael and wife Eleanor, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends whom he loved with all his heart. A very special and caring young man recently said that you only die when you are forgotten. Walt was a special man and will never be forgotten. He loved all those he encountered, always had a smile on his face, never turned down a challenge or turned anyone away, and always had an optimistic outlook. We Love You Walt. No public services are scheduled at this time.