Rudolph V. Massa Obituary (2012)

Rudolph V. Massa, 84, passed away peacefully at 1:00 am on March 22, 2012. As an avid fan of numbers, he'd say he beat the averages. He was always beating the averages. He was the 13th and last child in a proud Italian-American family. Rudy's life motto was, "there are no dress rehearsals in life." He was true to his motto--always. His educational accomplishments include a B.A. in Mathematics from Geneva College and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Technological Institute. During his college days, Rudy was most proud of his cheerleading and prankstering as a brother for Phi Kappa Fraternity. Rudy was a registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania, New York, Florida and North Carolina. He got his first job at 13, and worked well into his 80's. He began his career as a rocket scientist for NACA (now NASA), gaining much accolade amongst his peers for blowing up several test rockets. He went on to more earthly endeavors as a cost engineer with his brothers in Massa Brothers Construction Company. Many Massa Brothers buildings remain standing in Beaver Falls, today, including the Geneva Stadium hall, Old Main and many Geneva dorms. Rudy went on to work for the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA), as their Senior Staff Materials & Standards Engineer where he estimated jobs that included the World Trade Center and aluminum plants all over the planet. He worked for Alcoa for 25 years before retiring in 1995. He went on to work as the Beaver County Engineer on projects that included the Courthouse, Courthouse parking facility and the Brady's Run ice rink/tennis facility. Rudy cherished his family roots in Koppel, PA. He could spin many a story about his playing days with the Koppel mud-divers and his neighborhood boys. Rudy loved his family. As the father of three, he always found time for tennis matches, baton twirling parades and chaperoning and van driving for the local teen sensation rock band, "The Echelons." He co-owned "Sherry Lee Candies" with his beautiful (and young) wife, Sherry, where he was the chief chocolate engineer and taster. Rudy was also a recreational pilot, sailboat racer and a member of Air Heritage. His hobbies included balsa wood modeling, figure skating, swimming and watching his beloved Steelers. Rudy was also an avid boxing fan and actually once met Rocky Marciano. Rudy was passionate about his life-long commitment to the Democratic Party. His relationship with politics began when he helped construct the stage for then-candidate John F. Kennedy for his stump speech in Beaver Falls. He and his wife, along with his brothers, attended the inaugural ball for President Kennedy. He was a committeeman and democratic leader for more than 40 years. Rudy is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth "Sherry" (Cioffi) Massa. Rudy is also survived by his son, Rudolph L. (Kristen) Massa and daughter Jaynee L. (Michael) Koneval and Grandchildren Jason L. Massa, Nina L. Massa and Adam Koneval and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emilio and Maria Massa, his son, Frank L. Massa and brothers, Samuel, John, Anthony, Manfred, Vincent, Frank & Henry and sisters, Minnie, Sylvia, Erma, Josephine, and Margaret. Friends will be received today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Lutton Funeral Home, 117 Blackhawk Road, Chippewa Township, where prayers will be recited on Saturday at 12:15 pm followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 P.M. in St. Philomena Catholic Church, with Father James B. Farnan as celebrant. Private entombment in the Beaver Falls Mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made, if desired, Beaver County Cancer & Heart Association, 3582 Brodhead Road, Suite 201, Monaca, PA 15061. The Hill & Kunselman Funeral Home (www.hillandkunselman.com) was in charge of all arrangements.