Frank E. Mason Jr., an attorney and a former supervisor for the Baltimore Health Department, died Saturday at his home in Easton after what his family said was a long illness. He was 78.
In 1974, Mr. Mason was a Republican candidate for Talbot County state's attorney, losing by a slim margin.
He was born in Pittsburgh on March 21, 1931, to Dr. Frank E. Mason and Edna M. Mason. He showed an aptitude for academics, graduating in 1948 from Easton High School and from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1953, with a bachelor of arts degree. Three years later, he earned a bachelor of science degree and a master of liberal arts degree from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. In 1973, he graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
For a time, Mr. Mason was employed as a chemist for the Allied Chemical Co. in Baltimore. In 1960, he became a supervisor for the city's health department, where he was responsible for more than 90 health inspectors. During that period, Mr. Mason also taught history at Morgan State University in the evenings.
After law school, Mr. Mason established a private law practice in Easton, which he kept active until his retirement. He also was president of the Easton Little League and Easton Pony League in the early 1970s, and a member of various professional and civic organizations during his lifetime, including Easton's Christ Episcopal Church, in which he had been baptized.
Mr. Mason is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Serrano Mason; a daughter, Dr. Clara Ann Mason of Winfield, W.Va.; two sons, Frank E. Mason III and Matthew S. Mason, both of Easton; and three granddaughters. His death was preceded by that of his sister, Ruth Ann Maertens.
