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John Stassi Obituary
STASSI, John Batiste
Was born on August 28, 1941, in Sacramento, Calif. and passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2009, after a long battle with Cancer . He passed quietly and pain-free in the arms of his wife of 42 years and fellow Cal Aggie, Karen (Kuhl) Stassi. He is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Elise Brinck (Mike), son John Stassi Jr. (Michelle), son Michael Stassi (Krista), and daughter Terra Condit (D.J.). He is survived by his uncle Thomas Modica of Houston, Texas, brother and best friend Sam J. Stassi (Joane) and dear sister Eleanor Ford (Leland/Buzz). He is also survived by the ''lights of his life'', his 13 grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. John is preceded in death by his parents Jack J. Stassi and Rose Modica Stassi. He attended All Hallows School and Christian Brothers High School and graduated from Bishop Armstrong High School in 1959. He contin-ued his education at Sacramento City College, U.C. Berkeley, and U.C. Davis where he graduated with a degree in Economics in 1964. At Cal John joined his brother Sam as a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. In 1959 he was voted Sacramento Bee All-City in both football and baseball and played in the Optimist All-Star Football Game. Later in life, John was an avid duck hunter, golfer and tennis player. During a successful 35-year career as a mortgage banker, retiring in 2005, he was fondly remembered as a mentor without peer. After college John served in the Coast Guard Reserves and regarded that time as a defining experience and another source of lifelong friendships. Friends and family are encouraged to attend services in celebration of John's life which will begin with a Rosary at Our Lady of Assumption Church, 5057 Cottage Way, Carmichael, Calif., at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 17, and a Requiem Mass at 10a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18. A reception will follow at Arden Hills Resort Club on Fair Oaks Blvd. at Mission. In lieu of flowers donations in John's name may be made to the scholarship funds of Christian Brothers, Jesuit, or St. Francis high schools, Sacramento.
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Memories and Condolences
for John Stassi
Carol Valine Zarek
October 3, 2009
Dear Eleanor:
The tributes to your brother keep rolling in. He will not be forgotten. Earth was blessed with his presence, his goodness and his courage. I am sure he was remembered at the class of 59's reunion yesterday. I will remember him on All Saints and All Souls days. Your family is forever in my prayer.Love, Carol
October 1, 2009
To the Stassi Family:
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of your husband and father.I met John in 1959 while playing football at Sacramento City College. As linemen go he was on the small side, but he was one of those players that never quit and and had a huge heart. However, what I remember most about John was his quick wit and great sense of humor. He truely was one of the good guys.
DeWayne Holman (Tucson, Arizona)
Tom Tullar
September 15, 2009
Karen and family,
I haven't seen either you or John since 1964, but remember both of you. It was my good fortune to play with John on the '63 Aggie football team and remember his strength, quickness, general toughness, and humor clearly. I'm confident that he maintained these traits throughout his life.
As an athlete and as a person, he was a leader by example. He was the man that you wanted to be near because you knew that whatever happened, it would be exciting and fun and would be exactly where the action was occuring.
It is clear from the entries of others that he had a full and rewarding life. I am sorry that I was not able to continue to share in that life, but consider myself a lucky person to have had some quality life experiences with John.
My wife, Joan, and I send our condolences and best wishes to you and your family.
Tom Tullar
Ralph Harmon
August 18, 2009
Karen and family
Growing up across the street from the Stassi Family had a big influence on my life. Getting to go to the store with Rose being one of the best treats we could have.
But the techniques of making kids laugh and shriek and run around that I learned from John have been very useful to me all my life.
Bless his Heart.
Ralph Harmon
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Thomas Barnes
August 17, 2009
I knew John in the 60's, at Sacramento City College and later in the Coast Guard Reserves. I will always remember John as a people person with an honest hard working, dedicated work ethic. My condolences to his family. Tony Barnes
Gary & Carol Zellmer
August 17, 2009
Dear Karen; John was the kind of guy that came along once in a life time. We had so much fun together at company meetings, president club weeks,side trips, golf, and he was a great friend and boss, a truly great guy. He will be missed, but I sure god has prepared a better place for him. Our sympathy goes to you and your family, God Bless
August 16, 2009
Dear Karen & family, My sympathy goes to you and your family for your loss/ Although I didn't know John well, it was my good fortune to have you for neighbors for a short time, and always to see you at the Wilhaggin coffees. Fortunately, I have my computer to thank for knowing about this while I live in Seattle. Fondly, Jacquie Coffroth
August 16, 2009
Karen and family:
I was lucky enough to see John again just a few years ago and he looked great. Same old John. John gave me my start in the mortgage business as his loan processor at Westland Mortgage and was probably the most memorable boss to work for. Work was always fun with his jokes and stories. He was always involved with his employees and treated us great. He was always so proud of his family and spoke of them often. I wish I were able to come to Sacramento for the service, however, Claude will be attending. Still 24 years later the real estate business still beckons. He will be forever in our hearts and truly missed by all. My prayers are with you.
Nicole and Starr Needham
Las Vegas, Nevada.
Anthony Caliva
August 16, 2009
Karen,it must be a wonderful feeling for you,your family,Elinore and
Sam to know how many lives that John touched.John is a special person that people will be laughing and talking about years from now.
God bless all of you and we hope to see you soon.
Anthony, Kitty and Mary Elizabeth Caliva
Bonnie Daniel
August 16, 2009
Lloyd and I were so saddened by the news to John's passing. He was a great guy to work with, play tennis with and be friends with plus a fantastic and proud father. Karen our best to you.
Cliff Russell
August 15, 2009
Dear Karen, Eleanor, Sam and Family
I always looked forward to my going to the duck club but when I would find out that John would be there my excitement level rose as I knew that sometime during the stay we would laugh till I cried. Today I just cried. John will be in my prayers
Cliff(Rusty)Russell
Steve McKinty
August 15, 2009
My condolences to family and friends. I haven't seen John since the late 60s, but remember John, his parents, and siblings from growing up on 54th Street a few blocks from his parents' store in Sacramento. My sympathies to the family.
George Kriegel
August 15, 2009
To the whole family. my heart goes out to all of you. I remember John from many years ago. I was raised across the street from the store Rose & Jack had. I remeber when I was a little kid and Jack took me to the college John was at. John took me out through the window onto the roof of the dorms he was staying in. John was a just like his dad Jack they liked to joke around all the time. they always made me laugh.
Mary Joan Kelly Golinveaux
August 15, 2009
I remember John from our elementary school days at All Hallows School. He was a fun classmate and although I haven't seen him in many years he has been remembered. I often browse through old photos from those days. As we sometimes had two grades in one classroom his brother Sam was in the group too. My sympathies and prayers to his family.
LINNIE LAMBERTH
August 15, 2009
MY HEART IS SADDENED AT THE PASSING OF MY OLD FRIEND & BUSINESS ASSOCIATE.... JOHN WAS "THE MAN" WHEN U NEEDED SOME ONE TO LOOK BEYOND CREDIT OR INCOME "THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS AREA WHO OWN HOMES TODAY BECAUSE "JOHN SAW SOMETHING MORE"" AND HAD THE CONVICTION TO FIGHT TO MAKE THOSE IN POWER "SEE IT HIS WAY"....AS A MENTOR HE HAD NO EQUAL.... AND HE ALWAYS ENJOYED OR TOLD "A GOOD JOKE"...... "REST EASY OLD FRIEND".......THANKS JOHN..... AND.. ..GOD'S LOVE AND BLESSINGS ON YOU AND ALL THE STASSI FAMILY......LLL
Brian P. Moore
August 15, 2009
John and Sam Stassi were terrific athletes whom I admired quietly as an underclassman (class of '61)at CBS and Bishop Armstrong High School. I still remember John catching, behind the plate, for Southside American Legion and BA High School, his taller brother Sam, And his heavyset father behind the backstop screen rooting them on.
I can remember both brothers playing ball, but especially John's quiet, dignified, humble and sportsmanlike demeanor, on and off the baseball diamond. I looked up to John, quietly, as a role model. Despite the long separation of 46 years, the geographic distance (Florida) and lack of a personal relationship with him, he was one of my hero's, to this very day. I am truly saddened by his premature passing. My prayers and condolences to his family, and to his older brother, Sam, and family, as well.
Brian P. Moore, CBS/BA, class of 1961.
First basebman for both schools and Southside American Legion team.
August 15, 2009,
Spring Hill (Tampa Bay area), Florida
Carol Valine Zarek
August 15, 2009
John, my sister Rosemary Valine Wood's classmate, was a shining star at Bishop Armstrong. He shines in glory now, in perpetual light and joy. Native Americans teach their children that stars are really openings in the sky where our loved ones shine to tell us they are well and happy. Stars guide our way. John left a beautiful family for a heavenly family, but we are all connected in the communion of the saints. He is as near as a prayer.
Peace and blessings, especially to my friend Elinore.
Love, Carol Valine Zarek
Kelly Avilla Exner
August 15, 2009
Very sad to hear of John's passing. No one was funnier, sweeter or more loving than John. He loved his family deeply. He was a joy to know, and to be around.
My love to his family.
Kelly Avilla Exner
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