Joseph Blassie

Joseph Blassie
Joseph M. Blassie, fortified with Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006.
He was the dearest husband of Jerriann, nee Broleman, Blassie and the late Barbara, nee Suljak, Blassie; father of Miriam (Robert) Marek, Beata (Anthony) Gordon, Andrew (Joanne) Blassie and Mark (Jan) Blassie; grandfather, of Sara and Katherine Marek, Nicholas (Ainslie) Gordon, Christopher Gordon, Michael Jonathan and Patrick, Matthew, Alexander and Connor Blassie; stepfather of Robert (Stephanie) Hoppe, Julie (Kent) Partney and Geoffrey (Corri) Hoppe; step grandfather of Susan (Will) Blechle, Blake Partney, Shaun, Virginia and Benjamin Hoppe. He was our dear brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle, cousin and lifelong friend.
Youngest of 12 children, born to immigrant parents, Andreas and Elisabeth, nee Blasi, Blassie. He was our member of the greatest generation, serving in World War II from age 18 along with three of his brothers already serving in Europe. He was with the 65th Infantry Division until the end of the war, when he served with the Army of Occupation to form the Four Power Agreement in Vienna, Austria.
Joe was a meat cutter by trade, studied labor law and spent much of his life fighting for social and economic justice by organizing workers in two unions for better wages, benefits and lives. He retired as business agent for Meat Cutters Local 88 and later retired as director of labor participation for the American Red Cross.
Joe was a member of St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, a eucharistic minister, and member of the Men's Club and Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He also served on the Parish Council at St. Joseph Croatian Church for many years and attended First Fridays at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
He was a 61+ years charter member of St. Joseph Memorial American Legion Post 525 and past commander. He attended Jesuit White House Retreat for 35 years and served as retreat captain. Joe was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, St. Louis, Assembly, past district officer and life member of Webster Groves Knight of Columbus Council 2119.
Joe was president of the Meat Cutters Local 88 Retirees Club, vice president of the AFL-CIO retirees, Past president of the Missouri Council of Senior Citizens, member of the Alliance for Retired Americans, Red Cross Retirees, St. Louis Hills AARP Chapter. The Friday Morning Club, and had served as volunteer and panel member for the United Way. He was an active volunteer for the Boys Club of St. Louis for many years. His involvement in the Missouri Credit Union System including his serving on the Board of Directors at Progressive, Kemba and Spirit of St. Louis Credit Unions.
Memorials may be made to St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, 6047 Bishops Place, St. Louis, Mo., 63109, or Gene Slay's Boys Club of St. Louis, Mo., 2524 S. 11th Street, St. Louis, Mo., 63104.

Visitation: Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006, at Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois, St. Louis, Mo.

Funeral: Funeral procession will leave at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006, from Kutis Affton Chapel, St. Louis, Mo., for a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial to be held at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.

KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL, St. Louis, Mo.