Masse, Leon

From Salem Links and Lore

Leon J. Masse (Apr. 19, 1913- July 19, 2013)

husband of Jeannette M.(Soucy)Masse,son of Edmond & Bruna(Nadeau)Masse,was a architectural engineer at many firms,retired from Naumkeag Lumber Co.

"Leon Masse, a Salem carpenter and handyman began building birdhouses that were replicas

of famous buildings from around the world. From there, Leon moved on to scale models of regional

lighthouses- he built more than 50 of them- and eventually replicas of important Salem buildings.

The latter group included the Salem Cadet Armory, which took him a year to research and build; the Old Salem Train Depot,

the Custom House at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and the House of the Seven Gables.

Leon's final effort in this arena, a model of Salem First Church, was completed just a week before his death at age 100.

All were given away, incidentally, never sold." according to Jim McAllister in the Salem News.

Mr. Masse is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem.

See Also

"Remembering those who helped preserve region's history" Salem News, July 29, 2013. (Essex County Chronicle)