Bassett Family Association Database

Clifford D. Bassett

Male 1917 - 2005  (88 years)


Personal Information    |    PDF

  • Name Clifford D. Bassett 
    Born 17 Jul 1917  Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    _UID 8E56FBBA07BBD5448385A2DB361F5618BCF0 
    Died 18 Sep 2005  Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • 1920 Federal Census of 1st Ward, Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania (20 Jan 1920)
      Harold L. Bassett - 35 - M - PA-PA-PA - Head - Laborer General
      Mary A. - 35 - F - PA-PA-PA - Wife
      Lillian S. - 5 - F - PA-PA-PA - Daughter
      Clifford P. - 2 - M - PA-PA-PA - Son
      Harold R. - 7/12 - M - PA-PA-PA - Son

      The Daily Item on
      20 Sep 2005
      Clifford D. Bassett
      DANVILLE - Clifford D. Bassett, 88, formerly of Klinesgrove, RR1 Sunbury, died Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005, at Grandview Health Homes.
      He was born July 17, 1917, a son of the late Harold and Verna Bassett. He was the husband of the late Mary E. Bassett, who died June 26.
      Cliff had lived on the family farm outside Sunbury until he entered nursing care in 2002.
      A 1935 graduate of Sunbury High School, Cliff pursued simultaneous careers as an electrical contractor, a motion picture projectionist and a public servant.
      As the owner and founder of Bassett Electric Co. of Sunbury, which he operated until his retirement in the 1980s, Cliff was a pioneer in the adequate wiring and electric heating movements in Northumberland and Montour counties, where his company trucks, bearing the motto "Don't Fuss, Call Us... For Complete Electrical Service", were a common sight.
      Cliff began his career as a motion picture projectionist as silent pictures were giving way to the talkies, and for more than 50 years, he projected films in movie houses like Sunbury's Strand and Rialto and Danville's Capitol Theater. His career as a projectionist coincided with the era of drive-in movies, too, and he could frequently be found working in the projections booths of drive-ins like the Nu-Way in Shamokin Dam and the Port Drive-in near Danville.
      Combining his expertise in the electrical business and in motion pictures, Cliff assisted in the introduction of innovations like stereo sound, 3-D and Cinemascope to many local theaters.
      A member and for many years business agent of Local 403 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts, AFL-CIO, Cliff was a vital presence backstage at musicals, plays and concerts throughout Central Pennsylvania.
      A lifelong Republican, Cliff served six terms as an Upper Augusta Township supervisor, where he dedicated himself to paving the township's roads and to developing innovative sewage treatment systems for Packer's Island and the village of Mount Pleasant. In 1999, he was honored by the Northumberland County Association of Township Officials for 35 years of service as the association's secretary.
      In addition to his public service as an elected official, Cliff dedicated himself to volunteer work for the United Methodist Church and Geisinger Medical Center.
      He made a ministry of his electrician's skills by helping to build Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Anchorage, Alaska.
      In his local church in Klinesgrove, Cliff was instrumental in establishing the church's long-running annual apple butter boils and was famous for his chicken barbecues, which were also a popular attraction at Geisinger's early fairs.
      On a more personal level, Cliff and his wife, Mary, were host parents to two Mexican students who were their daughter, Gail Marie's, classmates at St. Cyril's Academy, Danville, and were also recognized by Northumberland County for their many years of service as foster parents.
      Always an avid sportsman, Cliff found time for regular hunting and fishing trips to Ontario and Quebec, Canada, and to his beloved hunting camp in Morris, Pa., where he prided himself on operating a model tree farm.
      A member of the Moose, Lions and Odd Fellows, in his later years, Cliff was actively involved in the affairs of the Sunbury High School Class of 1935, eagerly awaiting each year's class reunion. At the tme of his death, he was hoping to attend the class's 70th reunion scheduled for October.
      Predeceased by his wife, Mary, his brother, Robert Bassett, and his sister, Lillian Smith, both of Sunbury, he is survived by his son, Lawrence F. Bassett and his wife, Karen Choate-Bassett of Williamsport; his daughters, Gail Marie Mrs. Gerald McGlinn of Sunbury, Jacquelyn Mrs. John Shaibley of Danville; and Nora Ann Mrs. Bruce Feger of Potts Grove; and by numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
      There will be no visitation.
      A private interment of Cliff's ashes will be arranged by his family.
      A memorial service for Cliff will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Klinesgrove United Methodist Church, RR1 Sunbury, by the Rev. David Stough.
      In lieu of flowers, gifts in Cliff's memory may be made to Klinesgrove United Methodist Church, in care of Nancy Shipe, RR1 Sunbury, PA 17801.
      Funeral arrangements are by the Jerre Wirt Blank Funeral Home, 395 State St., Sunbury.
    Person ID I1485  8B John Bassett of Hunterdon County, New Jersey
    Last Modified 10 Jun 2012 

    Father Harold L. Bassett,   b. 9 May 1884, Rush Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1959  (Age 74 years) 
    Mother Verna Koher,   b. 28 Sep 1886,   d. 1 May 1973  (Age 86 years) 
    Married 30 Dec 1912 
    Family ID F406  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Mary E. (Marystelle) Fryling,   b. Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Jun 2005, Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Married 1949 
    Children 
     1. Lawrence F. Bassett
     2. Gail Marie Bassett
     3. Jacquelyn Bassett
     4. Nora Ann Bassett
    Family ID F524  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart