| Notes |
- Boston Herald, 9 Oct. 1942
Musician Dies in Worcester
Arthur J. Bassett
Motor Accident Victim
(Special Dispatch to The Herald)
WORCESTER, Oct. 8 - Arthur J. Bassett, 74, of 9 Whitman road, past
president of Worcester County Musical Association and for 18 years pianist of
the Worcester Music Festival, died today at City Hospital of injuries suffered
late last night when struck by an automobile after leaving a performance of
his 58th festival.
A native of this city, he was a direct descendant of William Bassett,
who came to Plymouth from England on the Fortune in 1621. Although he was at
one time president of Johnson & Bassett, Inc., the family business, and at the
time of his death a director of the concern, he was better known as a pianist
and teacher.
He attended the public schools of Worcester and studied piano under
private teachers, including Edward MacDowell, first in Boston and then in New
York. He went to Berlin in the winter of 1906-7 and studied under Leopo
Godowsky. His first recital here was at the age of 19.
As a young man he taught music at St. Mark's School in Southboro and at
Pomfret Academy, Pomfret, Ct. His first official connection with the music
festival came in 1895, when he was made chairman of the program committee. He
was festival pianist from 1896 to 1914. He was president of the association
from 1915 to 1923.
He was a member of the board of governors of the association at the
time of his death and had a record of not missing a music festival in 58
years.
The accident occurred on Institute road when he was struck by a car
driven by Louis Burack, 47, of 3 Bermans street. It was the 11th automobile
fatality of the year here.
Mr. Bassett was a member of the Worcester Club, Talnuck Country Club,
Worcester Tennis Club, Chamber of Commerce and First Unitarian Churc
leaves a daughter, Mrs. Charles F. Turpin.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1868 - 1942 (74 years)
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