John R. Massey's Obituary
MASSEY
John Robert , career engineer at Florida Power & Light and longtime Miami resident, passed away peacefully at home on September 9, 2009. He was born in Grantville, GA, on March 4, 1923. In the following year, the family relocated to Ojus, FL, to live and work at Ives Dairy. That is where the family spent the devastating 1926 hurricane in a rock quarry, watching the destruction of all the surrounding homes except their own. As John grew up working at Ives Dairy, he met Bonnie Sims while delivering milk to her family home. Often he would leave roses in an empty milk bottle for the young lady who was to become his wife. After graduating from Miami Edison High School in 1940, John served three years in the Navy aboard the USS Bennington Aircraft Carrier during WWII in the Pacific. He and Bonnie were married in 1946 and John attended the University of Illinois graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1948 and was immediately employed by FPL. It was the beginning of a productive career that would see John serve as Manager of System Substation Operation and also handle special projects for management with emphasis on safety. His effective dedication to safety improvement earned recognition from FPL’s leaders. After 41 years, John retired from FPL in 1988. Eventually, after many years in Coral Gables, he and Bonnie moved to East Ridge Retirement Village. Even There, John’s dedication to the importance of safety inspired changes and appreciation. John always claimed his vocation was engineering but his avocation was photography. He was a talented photographer and many of his photos were featured in various FPL publications, on special displays at East Ridge Village and many homes and offices graced by his wonderful pictures. John was a 20 year member of the Lions Club of Miami and a faithful member of 1st United Methodist Church of Miami for over 55 years, actively serving on many committees and as a Sunday school teacher. In addition to his wife Bonnie of almost 63 years, John is survived by his children Jack (Adrienne) Massey, Mike Massey and Jan (Ric) Orgaz, along with six grandchildren, Kim Massey, Carrie (Ben) Sanders, Kristine Massey, Laurie (Ryan) Jensen, Jeremiah Orgaz and Jessica (Peter) Langely, along with his sister Rose Lillard, brother-in-law Bob (Barbara) Sims, sister-in-law Minivan Massey and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their appreciation to John’s caretaker Marjorie angling and Vitas Hospice for their care and compassion. Services will be held on Saturday, September 12th at 3 pm in the auditorium at East Ridge Village, 19301 S.W. 87 Ave, Miami, FL. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to be made to First United Methodist Church of Miami, 400 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132.
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