Martin E. Mason, Merchant Mariner
Martin (Red) E. Mason, of Rehoboth Beach, passed peacefully at home Thursday, April 6, 2023, surrounded by his adoring family following complications from COVID-19 while fighting a long battle with interstitial lung disease.
The son of Martin Alexander Mason and Winnifred Meade Mason, Martin was born July 6, 1942, in Washington, D.C. He was a direct descendant, via his mother’s family, of Thomas Nelson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and served in the Merchant Marine and Naval Reserve during the Vietnam War. He went on to have a lengthy career in the maritime industry, beginning his career as a third engineer and ultimately rising to chief engineer and vice president of operations of a fleet of liquid natural gas tankers. He was highly regarded in his field, a figure of universal admiration from all who knew him.
In 1967, he met the love of his life, Joan Daly, marrying her in 1968. Their union was uncommonly happy, and their family soon included two sons, Andrew and Ethan. An adventurous soul, Martin relished traveling with Joan and the boys, and spent more than a decade living and working in Japan and Korea. He was beloved there for his enthusiastic embrace of the people and culture. He was a regular at local eateries and baseball games, and served as governor of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan. He made numerous lifelong friends all over the globe due to his worldly view and open and accepting nature.
Martin and Joan moved to Odessa in 1976, where they frequently opened their meticulously renovated house for the Christmas in Odessa historic house tours. Martin was responsible for ensuring that all of the brass gleamed, clocks were wound, and the fireplaces well-stoked. They also enjoyed the seaside, maintaining a house at the beach in Delaware and ultimately moving to Rehoboth Beach full time in 2013.
As well as being an avid runner, Martin was a lifelong fan of motor racing, particularly of the Porsche brand which he raced in informal local events. He maintained his love of the sea later in life, helping to restore and crew the Kalmar Nyckel, a Delaware sailing tall ship.
Martin was a generous philanthropist and concerned citizen, contributing regularly to many charities including the Southern Poverty Law Center, as well as multiple seamen's charities that were close to his heart.
Martin is survived by his cherished wife, Joan; his two children Andrew (Vilma) and Ethan (Tania); and his two grandchildren, Angelica and Camilo.
A celebration of Martin’s life will be held from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday, May 15, at Lighthouse Cove in the Hyatt Hotel, Dewey Beach.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, 1124 E. 7th St., Wilmington, DE 19801.
