Hector Massa dies after brief illness

One of Bristol’s most recognizable figures passed away Thursday

By Manuel C. "Manny" Correira
Posted 4/21/17

Hector, Sir!

When anyone mentions those two words, it’s pretty much a given people know exactly whose identity it is. Edmund P. Massa, better known as “Hector,” to family and …

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Hector Massa dies after brief illness

One of Bristol’s most recognizable figures passed away Thursday

Posted

Hector, Sir!

When anyone mentions those two words, it’s pretty much a given people know exactly whose identity it is. Edmund P. Massa, better known as “Hector,” to family and friends, passed away peacefully at his Woodlawn Avenue home Thursday, April 20. He was 94 years of age.

One of the most recognizable figures in the Bristol community, Hector touched countless lives throughout his hallmark career…first as an All-State athlete at his beloved Colt Memorial High School during the early 1940s, and finally, as athletic director at then Roger Williams College. In between, from 1950-1972, he became a legend as physical director at the former Bristol YMCA and its Hog Island (“Camp Hess”) Day Camp.

When word got out that Hector had passed after a brief illness, tributes began pouring in both on social media and by folks on the street. It was astounding how much this man was praised and beloved.

“He was such a gentleman,” said former Mt. Hope High School and Barrington High basketball coach, Michael Topazio, “and a great role model. I always have maintained that aside from my dad, Hector, ‘Zip’ Raiola, Anthony Agatiello, and Richard Travers were the biggest role models in my life.”

One of 12 children, Hector was born in a house at the corner of Metacom Avenue and Tower Road with a panoramic view of Bristol. As a youngster, he loved sports, especially football and baseball, where he starred on some of Bristol’s greatest high school teams from 1940 through 1942. He was a member of Bristol High’s one and only state championship baseball team in 1941, something he was most proud of. He was an All-State catcher in baseball and, at times, played quarterback and on the line in football. Hector was also a solid basketball player. He was also the recipient of the Bristol High School Athletic Council Trophy at his high school graduation.
Hector was also proud to serve his country during World War II with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Hector later starred and coached in the old Bristol Twilight Baseball League on the Town Common and helped develop some of the finest talent to ever come out of this town.

In 1950, his dream job opened up when he became physical director at the Bristol YMCA on Hope Street. It was the beginning of a 22-year career which enabled him to work with and help groom some of Bristol’s finest young athletic talent. The names are too numerous to mention here.

To many, Hector was like a second father. He marched to the beat of the famous Bristol Y Day Camp drum each morning with his many day campers during the summer months en route to the Prudence Ferry at the foot of Church Street for the excursion to Hog Island. Those memories have lasted a lifetime.

Hector’s second career took shape in 1972 when he became the new athletic director at Roger Williams College. It was the beginning of a lasting relationship between him and the student-athletes at the school.

“I originally taught college president Ralph Gauvey how to swim at the YMCA pool,” Hector recalled earlier, “and from there we became great friends.”

During his 16 years at Roger Williams, Hector turned a small NAIA university into a full-fledged, competitive NCAA Division III institution. Along the way, he increased the number of sports from a select few to a wide variety of programs for both men and women, including intramural activities. It was a marriage made in heaven.

He also founded the Roger Williams College Day Camp, which helped increase the college’s growing reputation and appeal with local as well as out-of-town families.

Throughout his illustrious career, Hector received many honors and awards for meritorious service to the community. He was inducted into the Bristol Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Roger Williams University Hall of Fame in 2013.

One of his most gratifying moments occurred in late December of 2012 at his 90th birthday party at the Venus de Milo in Swansea. On the heels of a major snowstorm the night before, more than 300 people found their way to the Venus to help Hector celebrate this special occasion. He was literally reduced to tears.

As he said that evening, “I never expected anything like this. I didn’t realize I had this many friends. I’ll never forget this night as long as I live.”

Hector, who resided on Woodlawn Avenue, is survived by Shirley Massa, his wife of nearly 40 years; sons Edward and Alan “Rock” Massa; and daughter Teresa “Terri” Massa. He also leaves behind five grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.

Hector Massa

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