Henry J. Mason Jr.

Henry J. Mason Jr., 84, of Sun City Center, Florida, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2026.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, to Henry Sr. and Helen (Karmazyn) Mason, Henry—known to many as “Hank”—lived a life shaped by a deep reverence for the natural world. An avid hunter and fisherman, he felt most himself in wild places. His pursuits carried him far from city streets: tracking game through the Montana backcountry, casting lines across the lakes of Canada, and exploring the rugged landscapes of New Zealand.

His connection to the natural world extended beyond the wilderness. Hank was an avid gardener who found joy in coaxing life from the soil, tending vegetables, herbs, and flowers with the same patience he brought to the field. He was equally at home in the kitchen, where he cooked with instinct and generosity—turning fresh ingredients, wild game, and garden harvests into meals that gathered people together.

Hank was a big personality—warm, direct, and unforgettable. He took genuine joy in passing down his skills, stories, and hard‑earned wisdom, whether teaching someone to cast a line, season a cast‑iron pan, or nurture a stubborn tomato plant. His legendary tales of “the ones that got away,” paired with his humor and steady presence, left a lasting imprint on all who learned from him.

Hank was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Jane (Zeliff) Mason, and by his sisters, Deana and Loraine. Their absence deepened his appreciation for the people who remained at the center of his life.

He is survived by his devoted partner, Sophia Goldsmith; his children, James Mason and his wife Dawn, Cynthia Redden and her husband Robert, and twin sons Timothy Mason and his wife Karen, and Theodore Mason and his wife Michelle; his grandchildren, Rachel, Nicholas, Courtland, Timothy, and John Joe; and his great‑grandchildren, Cole, Gibson, Cruz, Elliot, Lochlan, and Lennox.

Henry J. Mason Jr. will be remembered for his love of nature, his passion for storytelling, his joy in growing and sharing food, and the enduring bonds he forged with family and friends. His stories, lessons, and spirit will live on in the many lives he touched—steady and enduring, like the wilderness he cherished.