Joseph R. Bassi, Jr., age 86, passed away peacefully early on Saturday morning, June 24, 2017 at Yale-New Haven Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of 65 years to Rose (Patrignelli) Bassi.
Joe was born in Derby, CT, on November 27, 1930, son of the late Joseph Robert Bassi, Sr. and Felicia (Paganini) Bassi and was a proud Derby resident for most of his life until residing with his daughter in Oxford a year ago. He attended Irving School and Derby High School (GO RAIDERS!). Joe was an active member of St. Mary Church and was a former volunteer driver for the Sisters of Mercy at St. Mary Church. He also was a member of St. Mary Parish Men’s Club and volunteered at St. Mary’s Summer Festival.
Joe was a founding member and Past Permittee of the Adriatic Marchegian Club, Derby. He worked for 25 years at B.F. Goodrich, Shelton, CT and later was an employee at Sikorsky Aircraft until his retirement. Joe was a former Commissioner of the Derby Public Works and Field Keeper of Ryan Field. He was an Alderman and member of the Democratic Town Committee. Joe loved his garden, his wife’s Marchegian cooking and Porchetta, bowling, Bocce, playing softball, clamming, playing pinochle, setback, swimming at the Derby Community Center, espresso, egg and pepper sandwiches at Altimari’s Little Italy.
In addition to his loving wife, Joe is survived by his loving children, Terese Ellison Brennan, Joseph Bassi III, and his wife Patty, Antonia Marek and her husband Bill, and Rose Iacuone‑D’Amico and her husband Fred D’Amico. Beloved grandfather of 16 grandchildren, Joseph IV, Katherine, Brent, John, Kenneth, Emily, Jennifer, Carla, Thomas, Laurel, Bruce, Melissa, Alana, Lea, Joseph, and Audrey and 16 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Beatrice Coppola. Joe is predeceased by a grandson, Stephen Michael Iacuone, Jr., a brother, Harold Bassi, and a son-in-law, John P. Brennan, Jr.
The family would like to thank the care and compassion of the doctors, nurses, home health aides, physical therapists, speech therapist, occupational therapist, patient sitters, and Little Angels.
Thank You Dad for being a great husband, dad, pop, great grandpa, and the most patient patient. You will be truly missed, Love Ya, Dad.
His calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home, 253 Elizabeth St., Derby. On Thursday, all are invited to go directly to St. Mary Church for his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. His burial will follow at Mt. St. Peter Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Church Summer Festival, 212 Elizabeth St., Derby, CT 06418 or St. Mary & St. Michael School, 14 Seymour Ave., Derby, CT 06418.
Friends may leave condolences at www.adzimafh.com.
