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- Chapman Funerals & Cremations ? Harwich ? 18 November 2024
Ivan Bassett
Ivan passed away at Liberty Commons after a short hospital stay.
He is pre-deceased by his wife, of 73 years, Florence Ethel (Whitehead) Bassett.
He is survived by his son Jeffrey Bassett and wife Christine of Brunswick, Maine, James Bassett and wife Marie Sestile of Pahrump, Nevada, Jon Bassett and partner Lisa Handrahan of Chatham, Massachusetts. 9 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren.
Born in the little house in the dip of the road on Old Queen Anne Road in East Harwich. Spent his early childhood years living on Monomoy Island where his father George was a Surfman with the Cape Cod Life Saving Service at Monomoy Station. Later the family moved to South Chatham to the house currently owned by his sister Norma Avelar.
With his mother signing for him to join the U.S. Navy he left for World War II at 17 years of age. He was a plank owner on the USS Boston CAG-69, built in Quincy, Massachusetts. During his service he earned 10 battle stars, having experienced almost every battle in the Pacific. As a crew member he attended almost every ship's reunion.
After his military service he worked several jobs before being recruited by William Forrest to become the custodian in the new addition to the back of the Main Street School. (torn down a few years ago) Here he also became a special police officer to be available at the school dances. He also joined the Chatham Fire Department as a paid volunteer.
Later he was recruited by Chatham Fire Chief Edward Norman to become Chatham's first full time paid firefighter. He worked his way up from the bottom to retire at the rank of Deputy Fire Chief. During his tenure he was the 1st registered Red Cross First Aid Instructor and the First Emergency Medical Technician Instructor in Massachusetts. He was exceptionally proud that he and his granddaughter Jennifer were the first grandfather/granddaughter pair to have graduated from the same fire fighter academy.
Upon retirement Ivan and Flo enjoyed many years of travel in their RV throughout the country before adapting to spending winters in Frostproof Florida.
He is known, by many, for his giving to the community in the First Methodist Church, Boy Scouts, teaching CPR, 1st aid an EMT classes, or for the ride he gave them to the hospital in the town ambulance.
His hobbies were hard work. When not at work for the town he would do side jobs, landscaping, caretaker for part time residents' homes, commercial shell fisherman, supervisor for setting up the annual antique show, for a period of time he worked part-time at 3 different gas stations in Chatham every week, he would do just about anything.
Visiting hours will be held Tues. Dec 3 from 9:30-11 AM with a funeral service to follow at Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 678 Main St. Harwich Center. Burial will be held at South Chatham Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Jude Children?s Research Hospital.
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Bassett Family Association Database
- 2024
d. 1 Jan 1957, Chatham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts