John A. Sassano
April 24th, 1929 - July 28th, 2024
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John A.'s Obituary
Mr. John Anthony Sassano, age 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 28, 2024 in Sarasota, Florida.
John was born on April 24, 1929 to Peter and Mary (Lamela) Sassano in Gary, Indiana. On March 21, 1950, John married his loving wife Phyllis Jordan and the two spent 59 wonderful years together before she passed away in 2009. John was a successful Supermarket owner for more than 50 years. He opened his first store in Tolleston, Indiana at the age of 23 and operated many stores in the Southwest Michigan area including Hilltop Foods and Department Store in Saint Joseph and Coloma Family Center and expanded into Indiana and Illinois.
John had a love for Klaus and Koko, his two dogs who brought him much joy. He enjoyed golfing, racing sailboats, especially sailing the Mackinaw race, and cheering on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. He enjoyed spending winters in Florida to escape the Michigan winters. He also looked forward to his annual fishing trips to Canada with the guys and brought home walleye for our cookouts.
Most of all he loved his family. He was a proud dad, grandpa, and great grandpa and loved all the memories made with his family.
John will always be remembered by his special friend and companion RosaLinda Davis and by his children, Susan Ullig, Nancy (Ron)Trinidad, Jill Sassano, Jim Sassano (Becky Gorton), Laura (Mike) Camburn; His grandchildren; Robert, Chris, Elizabeth, Brooke, Josh, Pete, Michael, Kristina, Phillip, Diana, Matthew, Jared, Kaitlyn, Alex, Abby, Jessica, Emily and 28 great grandchildren; and his sisters Rosalie Gervais, Connie (Tony) Lara, and Mary Ann (Bob) DiGangi and many nieces and nephews. Along with his wife, Phyllis, John was also preceded in death by sons, Peter J. Sassano and John P. Sassano; grandson, Justin Trinidad; son in-law, Vernon Ullig; and brother in-law, Don Gervais.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 7 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI, with a Prayer Service beginning at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s memory may be directed to a charity of your choice. Please feel free to share a story with family online at www.starks-menchinger.com. To view the service live via Zoom, click on the link below the memorials section.
John was born on April 24, 1929 to Peter and Mary (Lamela) Sassano in Gary, Indiana. On March 21, 1950, John married his loving wife Phyllis Jordan and the two spent 59 wonderful years together before she passed away in 2009. John was a successful Supermarket owner for more than 50 years. He opened his first store in Tolleston, Indiana at the age of 23 and operated many stores in the Southwest Michigan area including Hilltop Foods and Department Store in Saint Joseph and Coloma Family Center and expanded into Indiana and Illinois.
John had a love for Klaus and Koko, his two dogs who brought him much joy. He enjoyed golfing, racing sailboats, especially sailing the Mackinaw race, and cheering on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. He enjoyed spending winters in Florida to escape the Michigan winters. He also looked forward to his annual fishing trips to Canada with the guys and brought home walleye for our cookouts.
Most of all he loved his family. He was a proud dad, grandpa, and great grandpa and loved all the memories made with his family.
John will always be remembered by his special friend and companion RosaLinda Davis and by his children, Susan Ullig, Nancy (Ron)Trinidad, Jill Sassano, Jim Sassano (Becky Gorton), Laura (Mike) Camburn; His grandchildren; Robert, Chris, Elizabeth, Brooke, Josh, Pete, Michael, Kristina, Phillip, Diana, Matthew, Jared, Kaitlyn, Alex, Abby, Jessica, Emily and 28 great grandchildren; and his sisters Rosalie Gervais, Connie (Tony) Lara, and Mary Ann (Bob) DiGangi and many nieces and nephews. Along with his wife, Phyllis, John was also preceded in death by sons, Peter J. Sassano and John P. Sassano; grandson, Justin Trinidad; son in-law, Vernon Ullig; and brother in-law, Don Gervais.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 7 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI, with a Prayer Service beginning at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s memory may be directed to a charity of your choice. Please feel free to share a story with family online at www.starks-menchinger.com. To view the service live via Zoom, click on the link below the memorials section.
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Prayer Service at 3:00PM