Gustave LaStaiti

WAREHAM — Gustave LaStaiti, 98, of Mattapoisett, died August 5, 2008, at Tobey Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Elsa (Scotti) LaStaiti.

Born in Messina, Sicily, Italy, the son of the late Leo and Sarina (Crisafulli) Staiti, he was raised in Quincy and lived in the Greater New Bedford area most of his life.

Gus was the quintessential American success story, and one in which generosity of spirit and resources have been paramount. Making the most of opportunities that presented themselves, Gus, despite very limited financial resources, soon found himself owning his own beauty salon. He was able to parlay this beginning into a chain of approximately 60 beauty salons throughout New England and New York State. As his need for additional hairdressers increased, he took a decisive step and opened his own beauty academy. In a short time, he became the largest operator of hairdressing academies in New England with fourteen academies, which included the only New York based advanced-styling schools for hairdressers, which he purchased from Charles of the Ritz.

In 1968, he capitalized upon another opportunity and procured the first bank charter in the City of New Bedford in over 100 years. When the Southeastern Bank and Trust Company opened its doors in June of 1969, Gus served as President of the Board and C.E.O. His innovative approach to banking made SBTC one of the fastest growing banks in New England, and in 1980, the bank became affiliated with the First National Bank of Boston later known as Bank of Boston-Bristol and later Bank America. He was also former co-owner of Gold Bond Powder.

Over the years, Gus' contribution to the community has been extraordinary, with distinguished service as a member of the Greater New Bedford Housing Authority, former Chairman of the New Bedford Airport Commission, trustee of the New Bedford Industrial Foundation, and trustee of Southeastern Massachusetts University, now the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He was director of the UMass Dartmouth Foundation, where in 1990 he established the Gustave and Elsa LaStaiti Scholarship Fund. Gus was a member of the New Bedford Country Club since 1952 serving as President for four terms. He was also a member of the Wamsutta Club.

Survivors include his daughter, Sandra S. Sylvia and her husband, Edward W., of Mattapoisett; 7 grandchildren, Lisa Segalas and her husband Harry, Laurie MacDonald, Duncan MacDonald and his wife, Gretchen, Brendan MacDonald and his wife Maite, Angela Crowley and her husband Scott, Scott LaStaiti and Monica LaStaiti; 7 great-grandchildren, Kyle, Haley, Duncan, Brendan, Zane, Annie and Mack; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was the father of the late Ronald LaStaiti and brother of the late Lillian Voci, Fred Staiti, Assunta Diara and Joseph Staiti.

His Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday at 9 AM in St. Anthony's Church, Mattapoisett. Visiting hours are omitted. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Gustave and Elsa LaStaiti Scholarship Fund, c/o the Foundation Department at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Rd., Dartmouth, MA 02747.

For on-line guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.