Retired Mortgage Banker

Claude Mascari, 66, formerly of Monkton, died July 15 after suffering a stroke.

The only child of the late Nicholas and Josephine Reina Mascari, he was born May 23, 1941, and married the former Ruth Bowden, of Monkton, in July 1971. Mr. Mascari moved in 1998 to Lutherville, where he lived with his son Justin.

He was a member of Clynmalira United Methodist Church in Monkton and of the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation.

Mr. Mascari graduated in 1959 from Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore and cum laude from the University of Baltimore in 1965, with a Bachelor of Arts in business management. He earned his Master of Business Administration from American University in Washington in 1967.

Mr. Mascari worked for 25 years in mortgage banking with The Rouse Co., Paine Webber, Fairfax Mortgage and Fountainhead Mortgage Group. A specialist in builder financing, he belonged to the Home Builders Association of Maryland, the Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Association of Home Builders, for which he monitored federal mortgage programs.

He is survived by his former wife and their three children -- Justin Mascari, of Lutherville; RoseMary Frere, of Cockeysville, with her husband, Ronald Frere Jr., and Timothy Mascari, of Towson, with his wife, Jessica, and a grandson, Ronnie Frere. He is also survived by his father- and mother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bowden, of Sparks.

Friends and relatives called at the Henry Jenkins Funeral Home in Monkton July 18. Funeral services were held July 19 at the Monkton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Joseph Fulk III, of Rodgers Forge United Methodist Church; the Rev. Stacey Nickerson, of Monkton United Methodist Church, and the Rev. Dennis Schulze, of Clynmalira United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment was at the Monkton United Methodist Church cemetery in Monkton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation, The York Building, 8600 Lasalle Road, Suite 504, Towson 21286.