WILLIMANTIC, CONN. — Leslie G. Mason, 83, of Willimantic, Conn., husband of Marilyn Mason, died on May 2.

He was born April 25, 1927 in Freeport, the son of Ralph Leslie Mason and Harriet Grover Mason. At 17 years old, he enlisted in the Merchant Marines. At 19, he proudly enlisted in the U.S. Marines, fulfilling a lifelong wish. He served as a drill instructor at the Marine Recruit Depot in San Diego.

He made the Connecticut Army National Guard his career, until his retirement. He also retired from the Hartford Courant. Although both he and Marilyn were residents of San Francisco, they were married at one of the original Spanish grant ranches in Napa on March 13, 1954.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; sons, Jeff and Scott; grandson, Cory; daughter-in-law, Donna; niece, Patty (Sagner) Dire of Mechanic Falls; nephews, Ronald Sagner of Old Town and Clifford Sagner of Plymouth, N.H.; and cousin, Joanne (Mason) Dechene of Auburn.

He was predeceased by his brother, Donald; and sisters, Carolyn (Mason) Arsenalt and Dorothy (Mason) Sagner.

A memorial was held in May, at the First Congregational Church of Willimantic, Conn. Arrangements were by Bacon Funeral Home in Willimantic.