Lionel Massey

Lionel Massey (July 2, 1916 – July 28, 1965) was a Canadian civil servant and dignitary, most noted for serving as Secretary to the Governor General of Canada during his father Vincent Massey's term as Governor General.[1]

Lionel Massey
Secretary to the Governor General of Canada
In office
February 28, 1952 – September 15, 1959
Governor-GeneralVincent Massey
Preceded byH. F. G. Letson
Succeeded byEsmond Unwin Butler
Personal details
Born(1916-07-02)July 2, 1916
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DiedJuly 28, 1965(1965-07-28) (aged 49)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1946)​
Parent(s)Vincent Massey
Alice Massey
RelativesRaymond Massey (uncle)
Adrianne Allen (aunt)
Daniel and Anna Massey (cousins)

Biography

Born in Toronto to Vincent and Alice Massey, he was educated at Upper Canada College and Balliol College, Oxford.[1] He served in the King's Royal Rifle Corps during World War II, during which he was injured in Greece and spent time as a German prisoner of war.[2]

He returned to Canada in 1944, and married Lilias Ahearn Van Buskirk in 1946.[3] The couple's primary residence was Batterwood House[4] in Canton, Ontario, although they travelled frequently on family business.[5]

His brother Hart also served in WWII, as a Spitfire pilot.[6]

When Vincent Massey was appointed as Governor General in 1952, he appointed Lionel as secretary; as Alice Massey had by this time died and there would be no viceregal consort, Lilias was simultaneously appointed as acting châtelaine of Rideau Hall.[7]

Following the end of Vincent Massey's term in office, Lionel was appointed as administrative director of the Royal Ontario Museum.[8] He was promoted to associate director of the institution in 1963.[9] He also served on the boards of Hart House,[10] Upper Canada College and the Stratford Festival.[1]

He died in Toronto on July 28, 1965, after suffering a stroke.[1]

References
  1. "Lionel Massey: ROM Director Was Wounded In Greece in '41". The Globe and Mail, July 29, 1965.
  2. "Lionel Massey War Prisoner; Wounded and Left in Athens". The Globe and Mail, May 14, 1941.
  3. "Massey-Van Buskirk Vows Of Dominion-Wide Interest". The Globe and Mail, June 17, 1946.
  4. his father's estate; see home movies of the Massey family, including Lionel, at Batterwood in 1931-32 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeYZaaKlTCA
  5. "Mrs. Lionel Massey Leads Busy Social Life". Ottawa Citizen, May 14, 1954.
  6. see Wikipedia article on John Gillespie Magee; Stephen M. Fochuk, "Maggie's War - John Gillespie Magee's One and Only Time he engaged the Luftwaffe", Air Force Magazine, Vol. 41, No. 3, 15 December 2017, p. 44, p. 49; http://www.raf-lincolnshire.info/digby/digbyhistory_ch3_1941.htm
  7. "Death of King Affects Many World Problems, Says Vincent Massey". The Globe and Mail, February 18, 1952.
  8. "Lionel Massey". The Globe and Mail, October 21, 1960.
  9. "Name Swinton Head Of Ontario Museum". The Globe and Mail, June 28, 1963.
  10. "Robert Gill New Director At Hart House". The Globe and Mail, September 7, 1946.
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