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JOSEPH MASUCK was born in Massachusetts, the youngest of four children in a Russian-speaking household. His father, Fred, served in the Russian Czar’s army and was part of the military review held in 1912 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Borodino. In 1914, Fred made the trip to the United States. Two months before the end of WWI, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Meanwhile, Joe’s mother, Anna, was trapped in Russia. She made seven trips across Russia on a flatbed train car with her first infant, who died of pneumonia. Eventually, Fred was able to send her $75 with which she purchased a fake Polish passport, and in 1922, she was reunited with her husband. Because Fred had been a U.S. soldier, he was able to become a U.S. citizen. Fred and Anna settled in Massachusetts, and they had four children, Fred, Tony, Mary, and Joe.
Joe learned to speak English in elementary school. One day, before he had learned English, Joe’s grade school teacher had to retrieve his brother from another class to solve an urgent problem. Joe needed to use the toilet and could not express his needs in English. Joe later found a second home in the Springfield Boy’s Club, where he became a water safety instructor and camp counselor.
In 1945, Joe joined the Army and attained the rank of sergeant. He was stationed in the Philippines, where he enjoyed picking fresh mangoes and papayas from the trees on the post. While on active duty, he received a congressional appointment to the Academy, and he entered West Point in 1950. With many of his classmates, Joe appeared in the movie The Long Gray Line, filmed at West Point. In the movie, he helped carry an outhouse to a bonfire celebration.
Joe’s first assignment was in Berlin with the 6th Infantry Regiment, where he met his future wife, Joan. She was working as a club director in a U.S. Army Service Club, a job Joan believed had all the advantages of the Army, without requiring the marching. Joe proposed eleven days after they met, and they were married six months later.
In 1958, while stationed at Ft. Benning, GA, Joe was assigned to the U.S. Rifle and Pistol Team. The team was competing in an International World Championship in the Soviet Union. Joe was designated the adjutant, but his real job was interpreter. This was a priceless experience for a man with Joe’s background. When the team arrived in Moscow, they were surprised to discover that their weapons had not accompanied them. The Russians assured them the shipment would be there shortly, but Joe overheard them admitting that they had no idea where the guns were. The issue was eventually resolved, and the Russians learned that they had to watch what they said. Joe thoroughly enjoyed walking through Moscow with his jacket slung over his shoulder to cover his shooting team badge. His peasant accent was a great conversation starter, and the people he spoke to asked what a fellow from Belarus was doing in Moscow.
During his 31 years in the Army, Joe served overseas tours in Korea, Viet Nam, and twice in Germany. He completed CGSC, and while stationed at Ft. Benning, GA, he transferred from the Infantry to the Intelligence branch. He also served at the Pentagon, the Defense Intelligence Agency, Ft. Belvoir, VA, and at Strategic Air Command at Offutt AFB, NE. His last assignment was with TRADOC at Ft. Monroe, VA. Joe retired in 1982 in the rank of lieutenant colonel.
After retiring, Joe worked at Goodman Hardware in Hampton, VA, managing their frame shop. He loved working with his hands, and he was an active member of the Peninsula Stained Glass Guild. Joe especially enjoyed working with wood. He made graceful wood sculptures and furniture. In fact, Joe and Joan’s children, David and Tracy, had great difficulty constructing their school projects on their own because their father found this work so irresistible.
Joe could also make much out of little. He was extremely creative and repaired or invented parts for many hopelessly broken objects. His family never had to call a repairman to fix the dishwasher or washing machine or to repair broken furniture or jewelry. David and Tracy learned to be similarly resourceful and imaginative.
Joe also enjoyed chopping wood and he kept the fireplace burning all winter long. He had to stop chopping wood when he felt a painful growth in his chest. The growth turned out to be cancer, which was attributed to 40 years of smoking cigars.
Joe died on 23 Jul 1993, after thirty-six years of marriage to Joan. He is survived by his wife, Joan, and their two children. Their son, David, lives in Virginia Beach, VA, and is a corporate pilot, flying the Gulfstream jet. Their daughter, Tracy, lives in Richmond, VA, and owns an interior design firm. Joe’s family misses him every day, but they are grateful for his memory and are surrounded by examples of his handiwork.
— Joe’s family and James Chandler
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