EXCLUSIVE: Anthony Mason's four kids were at his bedside until the end, says mom of 11-year-old son
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Monday, March 2, 2015, 2:37 AM
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RAMONA LANCASTERAnthony Mason is seen with his 11-year-old son, Armon.
As he took his final breath in a New York City hospital, Knicks star Anthony Mason was surrounded by his biggest fans — three sons who inherited his love for hoops.
When Mason died Saturday at New York University Langone Medical Center at age 48, his sons Anthony Jr., 28, Antoine, 22, and 11-year-old Armon were all at his bedside.
Armon’s mother, Mona Lancaster, a registered nurse, told the Daily News the family spent the past few weeks at the hospital “loving, supporting and praying for him.”
RAMONA LANCASTERArmon's shaved head salutes his dad.
She said Mason’s daughter, whom she declined to identify, was also present when her father died.
Like he did with his older sons, Mason was a strong supporter of Armon’s desire to succeed on the court and in the classroom, Lancaster said.
“He’s a straight-A student in Georgia, follows in his dad’s and brother’s footsteps by playing on three different basketball teams,” Lancaster told The News on Sunday. “His dad was very much a huge part of his life.”
Lancaster shared family photos of Mason posing with Armon on the child’s birthday in September. Another photo shows Armon sporting his dad's famous hairstyle with “Mase” carved into his hair.
“Anthony was present at birth and has been present every major step of the way,” Lancaster said of Mason’s relationship with their son.
“Although we officially split when Armon was 6, we remained bonded and had a great co-parenting relationship along with being very good friends ’til the end,” Lancaster said. “Anthony Mason has been a wonderful partner, friend and, most of all, father.”
Mason, who grew up in Queens, was a Knicks power forward from 1991 to 1996 and became a fan favorite for his rugged, menacing play.
HOWARD SIMMONSFormer Knicks star Anthony Mason, seen in 1996, shaved his head with the inscription: 'N.Y. Back on Track.'
RAMONA LANCASTERAnthony Mason is seen with his son Armon and the boy's mom, Ramona Lancaster.
His death came after he suffered a massive heart attack on Feb. 11.
While Mason never married, he maintained strong relationships with all his children and their mothers, relatives said.
In September, Mason tweeted about visiting Alabama, where his son Antoine stars on the Auburn University basketball team.
“Love you @Antoine_Mason. Take over, you’re on a mission!!!” Big Mase tweeted.
In a moving statement released Saturday, Anthony Mason Jr. — who played at St. John’s University before forging his own pro basketball career — said, “Overnight, New York City and the world lost a legend, a friend, a brother ... but more than anything, our father, Anthony Mason.”
