Former Mayor of Howell

In the presence of his loving family, Dante (Dan) Massa, 85, concluded a life well lived on January 26, 2023, at the Ocean Medical Center in Brick.

He was an amazing man who lived a blessed life. He had an extremely quick wit and always enjoyed making others laughand loved being around his family and friends.

Dan was born on June 25, 1937, at Englewood Hospital to his parents, Dante and Mary Massa.

He had great memories of growing up in Fairview and West New York, NJ with his sister Shirley, 23 aunts and uncles and dozens of cousins. In 1956, Dan graduated from Memorial High school where he excelled in both football and track. 

He met the woman of his dreams, Kathryn (Kay) Clarie in 1958 and fell in love, getting married 2 years later on June 25, 1960. They started a family soon after while living in Bergen County, NJ. In 1966, they moved to Howell Township to start a new lifeand raise their three sons and continued to live there for 56 years.

Dan’s love of people led him to careers in small business, auto sales and real estate sales with both Prudential and Weichert in Howell. It was his love for community service that enticed him to run and be elected to the Howell Township Committee in 1970 and serving as Mayor in 1973 and again in 1988. Over his 21-year career in Howell politics, Dan served as Mayor, Deputy mayor and police commissioner. He also served on the Planning Board, Recreation committee and many other public service roles.

He was instrumental in the formation of the Howell Police Department, and helped, along with the township committee and Congressman Jim Howard, to convince the US Postal service to give Howell its own zip code. He was the founder of the “Help Our Kids” organization who named him “Man of the Year” in 1989. In 2008, Dan was honored by the Howell Chamber of Commerce with the Lifetime Achievement award. In 2014 he was honored with another Lifetime Achievement award by the Howell Township Education Foundation. 

Dan was co-owner of the Booster News for many years and his column “Here’s Danny” brought joy to many that read it. Although he will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and a reliable friend, his favorite role was that as Grandpa to his five grandchildren: Kourtney, (husband Michael), Nicole, Liliana, Jack and Ellie and the newest addition to the family, his great-grandson Bennett.

Dan’s legacy will live on through his wife of 62 years Kathrynand his sons Dante (Kathleen Szczepanik), Michael (Karen) and Craig (Wendy). He is also survived by his sister Shirley Egan of Bonita Springs, Florida and many amazing nieces, nephews,cousins, and dear friends.

A celebration of his life will be held Wednesday, February 1, 2023, from 4-7 p.m. at Lakewood Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be at 10:30 am at St Mary’s of the Lake Church inLakewood on February 2nd. Please check the Lakewood funeral home’s website to leave a personal message.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions in Dan’s honor may be made to the Howell Township First Aid Squad, the Howell Township Police Athletic League or the Howell Senior Center.