Abe Josef Sass

Abe Josef Sass was a true child of New York City. He was born in Brooklyn Hospital and grew up at 320 West 18th Street in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood when its residents were longshoremen and garment workers. A product of P.S. 11, Charles Evans Hughes High School, City College of New York and Columbia University School of Social Work, Abe loved New York with a passion, but had a California heartbeat in his soul. Abe spent his career helping people, working at Napa State Hospital, starting an innovative drug and alcohol treatment program in Sonoma County and, later- mostly due to wife Rivkah's wanderlust- weaving his magic by working with troubled families in Washington State through his private practice. Though the number of people he helped cannot be quantified, he touched thousands through his warm, expansive and insightful approach. Everything about Abe was big. He was 6'5" tall, and had a gigantic gap-toothed smile. He believed passionately in big ideas too. He didn't believe in small talk or small-mindedness and had huge enthusiasm and true love for everything he did. He took delight in meeting people, in creative conversations and in learning what mattered to each and every person he encountered. People who met him were charmed by his larger-than-life personality, infectious humor, keen intellect and, of course, his signature bib overalls. Not long after moving to Sacramento in 2009, Abe met Sacramento Poet Laureate Bob Stanley and joined Bob's writing group. His poems told the stories of his life, from early memories of life on West 18th Street to working with patients at Napa State Hospital to everyday encounters in Sacramento. His poems are remarkable, just as he was, and beg to be read out loud to a group of kindred spirits. His family is so grateful that he published his collection of poems, We're All in This Together, just a few months ago and that he had the opportunity to read at the Sacramento Poetry Center, Timed Tested Books and to adult learners at Sacramento Public Library. His wife, Rivkah, daughter, Ilana, and son Loren, survive Abe. He also leaves behind daughter-in-law Jenny, granddaughter Stella, son-out-law Kenny Blasingame (Thank you John Stewart's "All Time Woman") and many, many friends throughout the country. Son Gabriel died in 2005. In lieu of flowers the family suggest remembering Abe in the following ways: Gifts to The Sacramento Poetry Center; Friends of Sacramento Public Library; P.S. 11 in New York City (in memory of Abe Sass, class of 1952); The Innocence Project, or through the memory of your choice (a nice dinner, a movie, a concert), as long as you share the story with us. Abe's goodbye party will be on Saturday, January 23, at the Clunie Center in McKinley Park from 2:00 p.m. until later in the afternoon; we'll do the formal part around 3:00 p.m. It is also daughter Ilana's 30th birthday so be prepared to sing Happy Birthday. There will be music, tears, laughter, food and, of course, poetry. Suggested attire: bib overalls.