In 1971, at the age of 35, Chet fell in love for the second time…..this time with Rangeley.   One week after his first visit, he and “his bride” Joan, returned and bought land in “the wilderness” in Rangeley Plantation.  They traveled back and forth from Massachusetts until they built their place in 1986 and eventually made their year round home on Black Bear Rd. Chet was an avid snowmobiler, skier, hiker, paddler and fan and a lover of bluegrass music.

His many friends and partners in adventure have sent so many stories of their escapades with this great guy.

“Chet delighted in “harassing a height-phobic co-hiker… by going to the very edge of

Table Rock, standing on one leg and pointing his other leg west….  He did the same dangle-tease a week later over the Eyebrow.” Each episode culminated with “his unmovable smile that changed as he broke into that deep from his soul laugh.”

Chet’s adventurous spirit often led us on a couple of wrong turns along the way.  In the process he helped us discover new wonders in the woods.  A giant tree, a bright red mushroom, the original trail, or an abandoned corduroy road.  The only thing that ever interfered with lunchtime on the trail was that Canadian Jay that stole his homemade whoopie pie. From Alaska, to Katahdin; from  the Allagash, to Rangeley adventures; “we think of Chet as our wise and caring ELDER… He was the friend or the brother or the father figure that made TRAC trips so much more interesting and enjoyable”

“As a talker, he loved to share his experiences of canoeing, hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.  He would often give us history lessons” or lead a discussion on the habits of moose or deer. On the Great Wass Island hike, he was so invested in his “teaching” that he barely made it across the crevasse before the rising tide made it impassable.  He confidently shook his head and chuckled at our concern.

“As a doer, he was there at TRAC for both the fun events and the work activities.”  “Chet, with his constant companion, Joan, maintained the section of the Appalachian Trail from Bemis Rd to Height of Land.”  Chet even built a bench along the trail. “Keeping the trails accessible to others was a priority for Chet.”

At home, he was often seen on his tractor, working on another project or puttering in his workshop.  Chet and Joan had a warm, welcoming home. The door was always open and the coffee was hot.  In his 35 years of loving Rangeley, he became a local icon.  We miss him dearly. His family is inviting you to a Celebration of Life honoring Chester K Masse Jr., Thursday, July 27, 3-5 PM at the Guides and Sportsmen Association, Old Skiway Rd in Oquossoc.  RSVP 207-864-5919.

From Chet’s Many Friends and Neighbors.

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