Joseph Michael Sassano

Joseph Michael Sassano, age 86 years, of Three Bridges, NJ, died on Thursday, March 3, 2017 at Genesis Health-Green Knoll, Bridgewater, NJ.

Born in Cresson, PA, March 9, 1930, he was the son of the late Pasquale and Josephine Citro Sassano and had resided in the area since 1963.

Joseph had formerly worked for many years as a Laboratory Glassblower for RCA, Bridgewater, NJ.

A faithful attendee of Shepherd of the Valley Church, Milford, NJ, Joseph loved reading, especially mysteries. He was quite intuitive and would often solve them before getting to the end of the book. Fishing, of all types, also was a great source of enjoyment for  Joseph. He was an extremely hard worker who did all he could to provide for his family.

One of the things his family and friends will remember and use to influence their own lives, was an episode on the Delaware River near Raven Rock many years ago where Joseph saved his drowning nephew from a certain death in the rapids. His heroism and selflessness shown that day helps to define his legacy.

Though the last two years were hard due to illness, Joseph never lost his faith and died peacefully under the watchful care of the nursing staff at Green Knoll along with his loving family.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Anthony, John and Francis as well as by a sister, Theresa Trunk.

Surviving are his wife of fifty-seven years, Alvina Yago Sassano, with whom he joined hands in marriage on May 23, 1959 in the old St. Francis Church, Metuchen, NJ; a daughter and son-in-law, the Revs. Carol and Christopher Ball of Rush, NY; two sons, Anthony of Three Bridges, NJ and Michael of Grand Marais, MN; a sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Kenneth McIntosh; three grandchildren, Sarah and husband, Dave Wright, Josiah and wife, McKenzie Ball and Elijah Ball and fiance, Sarah; and one great grandchild due to arrive to Sarah and Dave next week, right around what would have been Joseph’s eighty-seventh birthday.

Memorial services will take place on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in Shepherd of the Valley Assembly of God Church, 45 Spring Mills Road, Milford NJ 08848. This will be preceded by a gathering of family and friends from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the church.

Following the services, the family requests your presence for a time of refreshment and fellowship in the church social hall.

Burial with military honors will take place in Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA at 2:30 p.m. and all are invited to attend.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

Everyone is invited to visit Joseph’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to send a public or private message of condolence and to share stories and photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that those wishing to do so make a memorial contribution to the Center for Educational Advancement, 11 Minneakoning Road Flemington, NJ 08822.