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- The Day, 20 Oct 2005
John Bassett (Picture included)
New London – John Robert Bassett, 70, of 873 Montauk Avenue, New London, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died peacefully Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005, at his home surrounded by his loving family after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Mr. Bassett was born on Dec. 22, 1934 to the late Ella and Robert Bassett in Casper, Wyoming. He was preceded in death by his brother, Buddy Francis Bassett.
He is survived by his loving wife of over 47 years, Mary (Sullivan) Bassett.
They were married on June 28, 1958 at Saint Joseph Church in New London.
Mr. Bassett graduated from Southern Oregon State College which he attended on a full football scholarship. He earned his masters and sixth year degree from the University of Connecticut. Mr. Bassett began his career as a professional educator in 1961. He taught in both the Groton and New London school systems. In 1965,he was appointed principal of the Winthrop Elementary School. In 1967, Mr. Bassett was honoured by the New London Jaycees as the “Outstanding Young Educator of the Year”. He was appointed principal to the New London Junior High School in 1978, where he was instrumental in developing the middle school education concept in New London. Mr. Bassett played an integral part in the planning and design of the Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School. Under his leadership he was commended for his role in volunteering the New London Junior High to participate in the More Effective School Project, which stresses the improvement of skills of low-income students as well as the general population. New London Junior High was the first junior high school in the state of Connecticut to participate in this program.
Prior to beginning his career as an educator, Mr. Bassett served in the United States Navy where he was an electronic specialist. While in the Navy he sailed on the USS Sirago, and travelled the world, including crossing the Bering Strait.
After his retirement in 1995, he and his wife Mary enjoyed attending their grandchildren’s school and sporting events.
In addition to his wife Mary, he is survived by his four children and twelve grandchildren, his daughter Cheryl Kriszewski and her husband, John, and her children Amy, Kevin and Krista Pupillo; his son Tim and his wife Ann, and their children Kayla and Mitchell Bassett; his son Scott and his wife Michele and their children Juliana, Mary-Kate and Kara Bassett; and his daughter Jeanne Lussier and her husband Paul and their children Jenna, Joe, Annie and Nicholas.
The funeral will assemble on Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Impelitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London and proceed to a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Church. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery with military honors. His family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of S.E.CT., PO Box 902, Uncasville, CT 06382 or St. Joseph School Endowment Fund, 17 Squire St., New London, CT 06320.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1934 - 2005 (70 years)