John Masson, Jr. – Critical Care Medicine Specialist

John Masson Jr is a Critical Care Medicine Specialist with 27 years of experience. He works at Bay Area Chest Physicians in Clearwater, FL and is affiliated with Mease Dunedin Hospital and Morton Plant Hospital.

Masson passed away on November 17, 2018, after a long battle with cancer. He is a man who loved his family and community. He made an impact on countless lives, and Escondido will miss him.

Early Life and Education

The early years of a child’s life are critical to brain development and cognitive growth. These years are also where a child develops essential emotional skills like self-confidence, self-respect and positive self-belief.

When children are provided with the right stimulation, care and nurture in their early years, they will have a strong foundation for their learning. UNESCO views early childhood education (ECE) that promotes holistic development as one of the most important investments a country can make to prepare children for school and to help them thrive throughout their lives.

During this period, children learn how to navigate their emotions and express their ideas through play. Small class sizes and lots of teacher interaction time allow children to practice these fundamental life skills in an environment that encourages their sense of self-worth and supports their social-emotional development.

Professional Career

John Masson joined the Army in 1989 and deployed as a Green Beret in Operation Desert Storm and subsequently as an Airborne Infantry soldier for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served in the Indiana Army National Guard and was a member of the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) during his service to our country.

In 2010 he was serving as a Medical Sergeant when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. He lost both of his legs and his dominant left arm, but he did not give up. Instead, he aided his fellow Medical Sergeant and teammates in treating his injuries, an action that saved his life. It’s an impressive feat and one that he will never forget. The fact that he still holds a job as an Army Master Sergeant is a testament to his perseverance and strength.

Achievements and Honors

John Masson was a highly accomplished leader in his field. He was a founding chair of the Department of Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University and the founder of the Information Security Institute, one of the world’s leading centers for information security research and education.

He received a number of national awards for his work and was a founding member of the International Association of Engineering Education. He served on the boards of several companies and organizations and he was a member of many academic societies.

He had a strong sense of community and volunteered for many charitable organizations. He was an active supporter of educational opportunities for women, and was a trustee of the Edinburgh Association for the Education of Women. He was also a member of the Society for Science and Art and he served as president of the Scottish Association for the Advancement of Science in 1899.

Personal Life

John Masson was a well-known member of the Escondido community, serving on many local boards and organizations. He was the president of a family-owned civil engineering and land surveying business, Masson & Associates.

He served on the Escondido City Council from 2012 to 2018. Flags are being lowered at city facilities this week in honor of Masson, who passed away Tuesday evening after a battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife, Gail, and his two children Tammy Ofstie and Kevin Bruff; and three grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his mother and father. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Funeral arrangements will be made at a later date. Memorial contributions in his memory are appreciated by Arbor Hospice.

Net Worth

John Masson is a partner at Shearman & Sterling, and practices in the Tax Department. He advises domestic and international clients on federal and state income tax issues, including corporate and partnership transactions. He also counsels high net worth individuals and family offices on tax and estate planning matters, as well as charitable giving strategies.

During his military career, Masson served for 11 years in the US Army as an Army Ranger. While stationed in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, on October 16, 2010, he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) and lost his legs and left arm. Immediately after the explosion, he aided his Medical Sergeant and teammates in treating his wounds – actions that saved his life. He was later transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for further medical treatment and rehabilitation.