Michael Massood

Michael Massood Sr., age 96 of Wayne, died peacefully on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. He had lived in Paterson, NJ and Fairlawn, NJ before moving to Wayne in 1970.

Michael was born on July 29, 1924 to Louis and Mary (Tashash) Massood in Paterson, New Jersey, the oldest boy of ten children in his family, who emigrated from Aleppo, Syria.

With humble beginnings, he strived for a better life. Michael, a self-educated man, worked for his father’s business, Lou Massood and Sons, delivering fruit in the 1940s. In 1952, after serving in the Army Air Force and having attained the rank of Corporal with a specialty as an Airplane Engine Mechanic and received the Good Conduct Medal during World War II, Michael co-founded MGM Transport Corp., with his brother George Massood. MGM Transport Corp., would grow to be one of the largest furniture distributors in the United States for the next fifty-nine years. Because of Michael’s character and leadership, he grew his business to over 700 employees and operated in 48 states. In 2015, Michael was inducted into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, honoring his legacy of hard work, reliability, integrity and innovation. Michael was also honored with the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association's Pillar of the Industry Award, the City of Hope's National Home Furnishings Industry Man of the Year Award, the Anti-Defamation League's Lifetime Achievement Award and the Greater New York Home Furnishings Association's Hal Meadoff Award and David Druckman Lifetime Achievement Award.

Michael was happiest when his family was gathered around. He enjoyed raising his five children and spending time with family, including his ten grandchildren in addition to nieces, nephews, godchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. Throughout Michael’s life he was truly passionate about his Catholic faith and shared his passion with his family, having started a foundation for cancer research at St. Joseph's Hospital Medical Center in Paterson, N.J. Michael, a talented speaker and writer, who advised his children and grandchildren to be well-spoken noting, “a good speech is like an airplane ride, if the take-off [opening] and landing [conclusion] are memorable, relatable and humorous, the speech will be a great success.” Michael also enjoyed his time on the beach, and had a home in South Florida, where he spent many cold New Jersey winters with family and friends.

Michael will be remembered for his charismatic appeal to all strata of people. It can be said that he never met a stranger, was a friend to everyone, and could light up a room upon his arrival.  He always had a comforting, welcoming smile and was proud to have lived the American Dream. Michael was always ready and willing to share his success and was philanthropic to a fault. He was also a lover of cats and through the years shared his love with Tiger, Buzz, Omar, Molly, and Baby.

Michael is preceded in death by his parents; Louis and Mary, Siblings; Rose Ward, Jeanette Kishfy, Josephine Massood, Albert Massood, George Massood, Louis (Babe) Massood, and wife of forty-seven years; Helen the mother of his children.

Michael was lucky to find love once again and was married to Norma Massood for the past twenty-two years. He was the beloved father of Elias A. Massood and his wife Patricia of North Wildwood,NJ; Michael J. Massood and his wife Vivian of Wayne, NJ; Edward A. Massood of Greensboro, NC, Mary A. Massood of Woodland Park, NJ; and Bernadette S. Varone of Wayne, NJ; cherished grandfather (Gido) of Tiffany Massood Hadzi married to late Kerim of Medfield, MA, and Tara Massood Prevo of Greensboro, NC, and Michael Varone and his wife Jessica of Wayne, NJ, and Biagio Varone of Wayne, NJ, and Elias Massood of Wildwood, NJ, and Michael John Massood and his wife Chelsea of Wayne, NJ, and Nicole Massood of Wildwood, NJ, and Hillary Titus and her fiancé Kevin Bruns of Lincoln Park, NJ, and Chris Massood and his fiancé Cara Allison of Little Falls, NJ, and Matthew Varone of Wayne, NJ, and dearly loved great-grandfather (G-Gido) of Edward, Aiden, Mason, Alivia, Michael, Joseph, and Genevieve. He was the dear brother of Gloria Massoud, Joseph Massood and Shirley Massood. He was the beloved step-father of Edward Shrek and his wife Dawn of Dingman’s Ferry, PA and Thomas Shrek and his wife Jennifer of Hawley, PA.

In lieu of flowers please consider Mary Help of Christians in North Haledon or the City of Hope Cancer Center.