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."Lionel Massey: ROM Director Was Wounded In Greece in '41". The Globe and Mail, July 29, 1965.
Biography Born in Toronto to Vincent and Alice Massey, he was educated at Upper Canada College and Balliol College, Oxford. 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."Lionel Massey War Prisoner; Wounded and Left in Athens". The Globe and Mail, May 14, 1941.
He returned to Canada in 1944, and married Lilias Ahearn Van Buskirk in 1946."Massey-Van Buskirk Vows Of Dominion-Wide Interest". The Globe and Mail, June 17, 1946. The couple's primary residence was Batterwood Househis 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 in Canton, Ontario, although they travelled frequently on family business."Mrs. Lionel Massey Leads Busy Social Life". Ottawa Citizen, May 14, 1954.
His brother Hart also served in WWII, as a Spitfire pilot.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
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."Death of King Affects Many World Problems, Says Vincent Massey". The Globe and Mail, February 18, 1952.
Following the end of Vincent Massey's term in office, Lionel was appointed as administrative director of the Royal Ontario Museum."Lionel Massey". The Globe and Mail, October 21, 1960. He was promoted to associate director of the institution in 1963."Name Swinton Head Of Ontario Museum". The Globe and Mail, June 28, 1963. He also served on the boards of Hart House,"Robert Gill New Director At Hart House". The Globe and Mail, September 7, 1946. Upper Canada College and the Stratford Festival.
He died in Toronto on July 28, 1965, after suffering a stroke.
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