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- Louis Wesley Bassett, son of Louis J. and Mary D. (Sequin) Bassette, was born 23 Feb 1925 (SSDI) in Ludlow, Hampden County, Massachusetts. He died 4 Jan 1992 (SSDI) in Springfield, Hamden County, Massachusetts. He married Norma Mastrangelo.
In addition to his wife of 45 years, he leaves two sons, Louis W. Jr. of Clinton, Conn. and Richard R., of Fort Lauderdale; two daughters, Nancy A. Gagnon of Wilbraham and Diane M. Zable of Stamford, Conn.; and nine grandchildren.
Sunday Republican, Springfield, Massachusetts, 5 Jan 1992
Louis W. Bassett, 66, boat company founder
Louis W. Bassett, 66, of 871 Alden St., Springfield, founder of Bassett Boat C., Inc., died Saturday at home.
His career began in 1943, when he set up shop on Berkshire Avenue. He was 18 years old at the time. The Ludlow-born Bassett sold shiners for bait, which he netted in the Connecticut River. Bassett's business grew with the assistance of his wife, the former Norma Mastrangelo. Norma Bassett worked side-by-side with her husband, and several of their children have been involved in the family effort. Times were lean for the Bassett during the winters of 1949 and 1950, so he took to selling Christmas trees, a momentary pursuit away from maritime business.
In 1953, the business was moved to the Ewig Boat Livery, formerly the Massasoit Boat Livery at Watershops Pond. After expanding the business to include outboard motors and boats, Bassett signed a lease for a West Street riverside facility, near the North End Bridge. While the main office stayed on West Street, the need to expand grew as boats entered the picture. In 1976, the Bassett Boat Co. took up residence in a 30,000-square-foot former B-52 hangar from the Westover Metropolitan Development Corp. in Chicopee. Bassett's company was the first to lease hangar space from the corporation. The facility was used to store boats for the winter as well as for repair, service and preparation of new boats.
In 1988, the company moved once again to a 41,000-square-foot building at 321 Moody St. in Ludlow. The price tag for the service and warehouse center was $2 million. Exclusively selling the Sea Ray line of boats, Bassett's business grew until he claimed to be the largest Sea Ray dealer in the world, and one of the 10 largest boat dealers in the country.
Adding to the company was Bassett's dream, and he achieved some of that during his lifetime. The Bassett Boat Company has two outlets in Westbrook, Conn., one in Stamford, Conn., and one in Wakefield, R.I. A sister corporation has headquarters in Pompano, Fla., with outlets in Miami and North Palm Beach. At the time of his death, Bassett was still active in the business, chairing the boards of both corporations. In 1990, the Bassetts made the news for donating $1,000 so Springfield could hire lifeguards for Five Mile Pond.
The Bassett Boat Company will be closed all day Tuesday in memory of its founder. Bassett was a communicant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, and a member of Knights of Columbus Council 160. He was a member of the Springfield Lodge of Elks No. 61, the Colony Club, the Jockey Club of Fort Lauderdale, Fla, and the Massachusetts and Connecticut Marine Traders Associations.
In addition to his wife of 45 years, he leaves two sons, Louis W. Jr. of Clinton, Conn. and Richard R., of Fort Lauderdale; two daughters, Nancy A. Gagnon of Wilbraham and Diane M. Zable of Stamford, Conn.; and nine grandchildren.
The funeral will be Tuesday morning at Forastiere Funeral Home, and in the church, with burial in St. Michael's Cemetery. Calling hours are Monday afternoon and evening. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Carmel School Endowment Fund, 123 William St., Springfield, 01105.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1925 - 1992 (66 years)