GARY WADE MASSEY – Gary Massey died Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2:40 pm of severe trauma experienced in a motorcycle accident on Route 17 in Yorktown.  Gary was struck by a car turning across his lane into traffic.

Gary was born September 10, 1955, in Riverside Hospital in downtown Newport News.  He was the first son and third child of Dick and Beatrice Massey, longtime residents and business owners in the Bethel/Northhampton area of Hampton.

Gary, a 1974 graduate of Bethel High School, was a longtime employee of Hulcher Camera Company designing and building precision photographic equipment for government and private agencies.  He was also a long time employee of MasterMachine/Master Mold.  He was known to many for his presence and participation at numerous auction houses in the area.  Gary was an entrepreneur, a mechanist, a jack-of-all-trades.  He was a friend to many; always with a smile, offering a handshake, or a bad joke never quite as funny to others as it was to him.  He was always willing and able to lend a helping hand.  Always a man with a big heart.  His trademark – his smile.

Gary will be missed by many, especially his daughter, Racheal, his fiancé, Bonita Deweese, both of Hampton, and his sisters, Peggy Weaver and Wilma (Willi) Frank of Clarksville, Tennessee.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday afternoon, May 13 ^th at Abundant Life Tabernacle, 101 Blackburn Lane, Hampton, VA,                                                                            beginning with a service for family and friends at 5:00 in the church sanctuary,                     followed at 6:00 by a motorcycle cavalcade to the church to continue the celebration.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to                     Families of Fallen Night Stalkers (supporting families of fallen Special Operations soldiers) or a favorite charity supporting our military and first responders in Gary's name.

A DAUGHTER'S THOUGHTS:  Dad, you were my whole world and now you're gone. It doesn't feel real. Every time I hear a motorcycle drive by the house I think it's going to be you pulling up. You were on your way home and we had plans for when you got back, plans that will not happen now. There are so many things I want you to still be here for in my life. It's going to be so hard to adapt without you. You were my life line I could call on in tough times. But during this experience I have really seen and understood how many lives you have touched. You were always willing to lend a hand or a bad joke. The amount of people who have reached out with condolences is unreal. You were cared for and loved by so many people. Thank you for always being there for me and loving me even when I was a headache. I'm going to do everything in my power to try to be as much of an incredible person as you were, I was raised by the best.

Motorcycles can be very dangerous, but my dad just loved the thrill of the ride. I remember riding on the gas tank of his smaller old bike when I was probably 5 years old. But I had no fear because I was with my dad. Accidents can happen in one second and there is nothing that can stop that. Since the weather is getting nicer more people will be riding. Please be cautious of motorcycles on the road and don't hesitate to triple or quadruple check just in case a small bike might be hiding.

When a tragedy like this happens, it reminds us that we never know when it could be our time to leave this earth. Please take a moment today to tell your loved ones how much you care for them.

Thank you to everyone for all the thoughts and prayers, it is so appreciated right now.

I love you dad 5/8/19