Colonel George Mason Laurence Opie, 62, died suddenly but peacefully at his beloved home in “Happy Valley” on Stable Road in Naples, Maine, on August 22, 2024.

George, known to his Maine friends and family as “Mason,” was born in Alexandria, Virginia on August 25, 1961, the youngest and beloved son of Fitzhugh Lee Rhea Opie, and Mary Laurence (Jones) Opie. A son of Virginia,
and a descendant of its first families, he was named in honor of his five-greats-grandfather, Colonel George Mason, a Founding Father. George was also the great-great-grandson of Major General Fitzhugh Lee, and the four-greats-nephew of General Robert E. Lee. He grew up amongst the beautiful brick streets of Old Town Alexandria. He began 51 years of work at the age of 12, when he worked as a paperboy for the Alexandria Gazette. He also worked at the famous Shuman’s Bakery, while attending the Basilica School of Saint Mary and other local schools until moving to Texas in 1979, to finish his senior year at Richland Senior High School, graduating in 1980.

After arriving back home, Mason began his 43-year-long maintenance career in 1981, apprenticing as a maintenance mechanic at Riverside Park Apartments in Alexandria under John Cannon, after receiving a record promotion into the position. During his time there, he rose to Assistant Maintenance Supervisor, overseeing 384 high-rise apartments. Upon the sale of Riverside, he started work at London Park Towers, where he worked as Chief Maintenance Engineer.

In the late 1990s, Mason moved to Maine, where he had his only child, whom he worked hard to raise while being a maintenance technician at SAD 61. Mason worked from 2002, until March of this year, after almost 22 years of faithful service to “The District.” He was a character, where he seemed to find an additional role as comedic relief for the Maintenance Department. He enjoyed making his son and other students laugh with joy, an example being his performance as “The Wizard” in LRCT’s 2017 production of The Wizard of Oz.

In 2010, he began a 14-year courtship with Julie Koceika, who faithfully loved him and attended to his needs in his last year of physical disability. He loved Julie deeply, as well as her four children. He also was a doting “Pappy George” to Julie’s Grandson, Milo Libby, who will miss him dearly.

In 2019, Mason was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Matthew Bevin of Kentucky, in recognition of his charity and good works throughout the years. Remaining humble, he continued to donate generously to the many causes that he loved passionately. In addition to the Colonels, he was a proud member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He regularly volunteered to serve breakfast to veterans at Casco Community Center almost every Veteran’s Day.

Aside from the chaotic humor, wit, and “tomfoolery,” there was an educated, wise, sensitive, and beautiful spirit under his aforementioned characteristics. He deeply enjoyed reading, sailing, stargazing, and quiet mornings with the birds.

George gave constant praise to Christ, and was faithful in professing the Resurrection his entire life. One of Mason’s greatest accomplishments was passing this faith to his son.

George is survived by his son, Liam Mason Rhea Opie, Liam’s wife Gabrielle, and his dearly beloved grandson, Liam Laurence Opie, who was given his middle name in honor of his dear Pappy. He is also survived by his loving older brothers, Fr. Fitzhugh Lee Opie of Jacksonville, Fla., and John N. L. Opie of Arlington, Va. He is also survived by a niece, Mary Smiley of Jacksonville, great-niece Eleanor Smiley, and many other relatives across America and Europe.

A visiting hour will be held at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church in North Conway, N.H., on Saturday, August 31 at 10 a.m., with a Funeral Mass immediately following at 11 a.m. All who knew him are invited to come to both. Eulogies, stories and light refreshments will follow the service in the Parish Hall below.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Christian Appalachian Project, which Mason loved.

George Mason L. Opie will be laid to rest with honor, close to his dearly beloved father and General Fitzhugh Lee in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia, within sight of Jefferson Davis.