- Date Of Birth: June 3, 1927
- Date Of Death: November 7, 2020
- State: Michigan
If you asked one hundred people who Charles Massey was in life, you would get many responses, and most would be true. He lived a life full of adventure and love which made him a remarkable storyteller. He will continue to live, larger than life, in our hearts and his stories will forever be told. Charles Lawrence Massey, known as Charlie to friends and Big Chief to extended family, passed away on Saturday morning, November 7, 2020; he was 93.
Charlie was born June 3, 1927, in Nahma, MI, the son of Francis and Susan (Paul) Massey. His mother, Susan (Paul) Massey, passed early in Charlie’s life, and with his father working lumber or aboard boats, Charlie was sent to the Harbor Springs Holy Childhood Indian Boarding school, where he learned, in his words, the basics. When word reached his Auntie Ann Levandoski, Charlie was promptly retrieved to come live with her family.
Charlie was not much for schooling and instead opted for daily walks to his favorite fishing spot in search of trout. If he were lucky enough to catch anything, he would make a fire and cook his catch with whatever seasonings he had stuffed in his pockets.
Working odd jobs since the age of 16, including laboring a couple of years aboard the ore boats on the Great Lakes, Charlie didn’t lack for adventure. In 1952 Charlie enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served during the Korean War, earning three medals (National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal). In later years, Charlie was happy to swap stories with any Vets he met. Discharged in 1954, Charlie settled in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He joined the painters union, and not long after, Charlie met his lifelong partner Carol Ann Kunselman. At the time, both were dating other people, but their feelings could not be denied, and on August 17, 1957, they united in marriage.
If you had asked Charlie about his life and his proudest accomplishments, he would have undoubtedly said raising his children and kicking them out of the house. If you ask his children, they would say painting the Mackinaw bridge or owning his own painting company. But all would agree that Charlie had many accomplishments. A consummate hard worker, he helped all of his children with home improvements; there was no job that Charlie did not know how to do.
Charlie had a penchant for woodworking, and everyone was always invited into his workshop to see his new projects in various states of progress. He also loved growing giant tomatoes in his garden each year. And there was not a week that went by that he missed his Sunday newspaper; the Funnies were his Favorite, especially Calvin and Hobbes.
He was a member of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. Attending pow wow was a homecoming for him, and that was a feeling of the community he passed on to his children. Known as Big Chief to their extended family, Charlie was proud of his American Indian ancestry.
Charlie’s loving wife, Carol Ann (Kunselman) preceded him in death on May 22, 2009. Charlie is survived by his children, Bill (Kris) Massey, Anna (Perry) Disbrow, Joe (Sue) Massey, David (Ann) Massey, Linda Massey (Tim Baker); 15 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and by his longtime companion, Shirley Deroo of Schoolcraft MI.
