Maurice Jean-Henri Ghnassia

Maurice Jean-Henri Ghnassia, 82, husband of Jill Dix Ghnassia, formerly of Windsor and New Hartford, died Saturday, (January 4, 2003) at their home in Cullowhee, NC after a long illness. Dr. Ghnassia was born in Paris, France on July 23, 1920, son of the late Ichoa and Esther Karsenty Ghnassia. During his life, he was an ardent French patriot. In 1940, he organized a resistance cell in Paris, carried out raids against the Nazis, and distributed tracts against the German occupation. When his group was ambushed near the Pont de L'ourcq, he escaped to the South of France where he joined the French Resistance in and around Lyon. Under the code name, "Spartacus," he commanded a group of Francs Tireurs, an arm of the Resistance. He was arrested twice by the French Milice, was condemned to death, and twice escaped. After the Liberation of the South of France, he became a paratrooper attached to the U.S. Screaming Eagles, his regiment under the command of the late Governor of and Senator from North Carolina, Terry Sanford. After the war, he resumed and completed his studies at the University of Paris under the tutelage of philosopher Jean Wahl and historian Jerome Carcopino, also a member of the Academie Francaise. Immediately after the war, as "Mr. Blues," he had a jazz radio program in France and interviewed such renown figures as Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday, and Miles Davis. In the 1950s and 60s, he was a press correspondent to the United Nations and White House for the "Franc Observateur" and "Europe No. 1". In the 70s, he was the Media Manager of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and translator into French of Charles Shultz's "Peanuts" books. In more recent years, he was a professor of Western Heritage at the University of Hartford until his retirement in 2000. He was the best selling author of three novels, "Un Dimanche Pour Pleurer", "Foule aux Dames", and "Arena"; short stories, poetry, plays and songs. For many years, his poem, "La Creation du Monde," was recited on Christmas Eve over French radio and television. In 1948, his short story, "Franck and Malpott's Blues" won a coveted prize for the best short story about jazz; it was lauded as a "French Joycean linguistic feat." He was a member of the Author's Guild, Societe des Auteurs et Composeurs, the Connecticut Academy of the Arts and Sciences, and the Alliance Francaise de Hartford. He is survived by his wife, Jill Dix Ghnassia of Cullowhee, NC; a brother, Edmond Ghnassia; and several nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Jean-Paul Ghnassia. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, by all he touched with his intellect, wisdom, and kindness. "Un seul etre vous manque et le monde est depeuple." Graveside burial services will be held on Saturday, January 11, 11 a.m., at Harmony Cemetery, Milton, PA. A memorial service will be held for family and friends in the Spring at St. John's Episcopal Church, New Hartford, at a time and date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Leukemia Society, the American Heart Association, or the American Stroke Association.