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Watertown Daily Times, New York, April 3, 2016
Alvin Bassett
Alvin Elting "Al" Bassett passed away March 29, 2016 at his home in Russell, NY, of an apparent heart attack.
Born in 1921 in New York City to Leon Arthur and Lillian Westervelt Bassett, formerly of Gouverneur, NY.
He is survived by his loving children, Robert A. (Lynn Hill-Rance) of Jensen Beach, Florida, and Bonnie Bassett-Lawrence (Jay Lawrence) of Tampa, Florida; his beloved sister Marilyn Knight (Gene Knight, deceased), formerly of Russell, NY, now of Canton, Georgia, and his nephew and niece (Marilyn's children) Steven Rice (Nancy, deceased) and their daughter, Heather, also of Canton, Georgia, and Holly (Rice) and Lonnie Weaver of Gouverneur, NY.
Other survivors include his grandson Robert Tyler Bassett (Robert Bassett and Marilyn Bassett parents) of Jensen Beach, Florida; grandson Charles Robert Lawrence and granddaughter Samantha Jane Lawrence (Bonnie and Jay Lawrence parents) of Tampa.
Al was married twice, to Ann McDonald of Ayr, Scotland, the mother of his children, and to the former Grace Davis of Syracuse, New York and both preceded him in death.
Al was honorably discharged from the United States Army Air Corps as a Sergeant. He served as a medic during World War II and was stationed in Cherbourg, France, on D-Day. His job was to take the wounded soldiers from Normandy via plane to England for care in the hospital. He was shot down by enemy ground fire three times. After crash landing near American lines, he was picked up the last time by the Belgian underground. At the end of the war, he was awarded the Purple Heart.
Al loved to fish and camp, especially at Huckleberry Lake. He was a craftsman, building his own home in Texas with the help of his brother-in-law Gene Knight of Russell, NY. He loved to build things - clocks, furniture and decorative items for his house. He could fix or mend anything, a gift handed down by his father, Leon. Al was an excellent cook, well known for his deviled eggs.
The family would like to thank Rosemary "Rosie" Allen of Edwards, NY, who was a good friend and companion to Al in the last year or so of his life. The family also would like to thank the friends at Russell Attwater Housing who were kind and helpful, especially Richard Knox of Russell.
Per Al's request, there will be no calling hours or services. He will be cremated and his ashes spread at Huckleberry Lake this summer, with a little saved to be spread at his parents' gravesite in Richville, NY. Arrangements are with the Green Funeral Home, Gouverneur.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1921 - 2016 (95 years)