This content is archived and as has not been processed. It may contain unformatted text or images, broken links or out-of-date information.
Passing of François de MASSARY
Lausanne - 16 March 2012
It is with great sadness that World Archery informs you of the passing of our former Vice-President and Honorary President of EMAU, Francois de MASSARY at the age of 83.
Born on 8 January 1929, François was the grandson of Louise CLAUDEL, sister of the French sculptor Camille CLAUDEL, and the poet and writer Paul CLAUDEL.
In the fifty years that he dedicated to archery, François occupied several important positions.
Like many volunteers, François was active at several levels: Club President, President of the Archery League of Picardy (a regional archery association), Secretary General, and then President of the French Archery Federation (FFTA). He served as President of the FFTA for twenty-eight years, during which the number of licensees of the French Federation increased from 5000 to 55000 in 2001.
François, who remained single, retired at age 58. He fully and voluntarily dedicated his life to the management of the FFTA. He was often at the FFTA Office from 8am to 7pm, and founded the EMAU on 17 April 1988, where he would later be named Honorary President of this organisation. Among the International Archery Federation (FITA), François occupied the position of Vice-President and was honoured with a Gold Plaquette, the highest decoration of our international federation.
Francois de MASSARY was a member of the French National Olympic Committee. He was president of the Regional Olympic Committee of Picardy for twelve years, until he left in 2005, the same year he left the Archery League of Picardy.
Francois de MASSARY had been part of several Olympic Games since the Munich Games in 1972. The Barcelona 1992 Games remained his favourite, as Sebastien FLUTE won the only Olympic gold medal in the history of French archery.
The French authorities decorated him for his dedication to the sport with the National Order of Merit, followed by the Legion of Honor (2003).
Today, we lost a man who had an undoubtedly strong influence on the development of archery. The World Archery President, Prof. Dr. ERDENER said that: “The world of archery has lost a visionary that gave everything he could to our sport as a volunteer. The French federation is the largest national archery federation today thanks to his vision. We need young visionaries like him in order to make our sport grow even more. We would like to thank him for everything he has done for our sport.”
The funeral will take place on Monday, 19 March, at 3pm in Fère-en-Tardenois, in the Department of Aisne.
Pascal COLMAIRE
World Archery Communication
It is with great sadness that World Archery informs you of the passing of our former Vice-President and Honorary President of EMAU, Francois de MASSARY at the age of 83.
Born on 8 January 1929, François was the grandson of Louise CLAUDEL, sister of the French sculptor Camille CLAUDEL, and the poet and writer Paul CLAUDEL.
In the fifty years that he dedicated to archery, François occupied several important positions.
Like many volunteers, François was active at several levels: Club President, President of the Archery League of Picardy (a regional archery association), Secretary General, and then President of the French Archery Federation (FFTA). He served as President of the FFTA for twenty-eight years, during which the number of licensees of the French Federation increased from 5000 to 55000 in 2001.
François, who remained single, retired at age 58. He fully and voluntarily dedicated his life to the management of the FFTA. He was often at the FFTA Office from 8am to 7pm, and founded the EMAU on 17 April 1988, where he would later be named Honorary President of this organisation. Among the International Archery Federation (FITA), François occupied the position of Vice-President and was honoured with a Gold Plaquette, the highest decoration of our international federation.
Francois de MASSARY was a member of the French National Olympic Committee. He was president of the Regional Olympic Committee of Picardy for twelve years, until he left in 2005, the same year he left the Archery League of Picardy.
Francois de MASSARY had been part of several Olympic Games since the Munich Games in 1972. The Barcelona 1992 Games remained his favourite, as Sebastien FLUTE won the only Olympic gold medal in the history of French archery.
The French authorities decorated him for his dedication to the sport with the National Order of Merit, followed by the Legion of Honor (2003).
Today, we lost a man who had an undoubtedly strong influence on the development of archery. The World Archery President, Prof. Dr. ERDENER said that: “The world of archery has lost a visionary that gave everything he could to our sport as a volunteer. The French federation is the largest national archery federation today thanks to his vision. We need young visionaries like him in order to make our sport grow even more. We would like to thank him for everything he has done for our sport.”
The funeral will take place on Monday, 19 March, at 3pm in Fère-en-Tardenois, in the Department of Aisne.
Pascal COLMAIRE
World Archery Communication
Features