| Notes |
The Springfield Republican, Massachusetts, Thursday, 21 November 2024
Samuel Ray Bass
Samuel Ray Bass, 74, known to many as "Mustafa" or "King" passed away at Baystate Medical Center surrounded by his loving family on Sunday November 17, 2024. He was a dynamic, exuberant, and educated media and marketing maven, musician, artist and athlete. Most of all, Samuel was a devoted and protective husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend.
Samuel was born in Springfield, MA to the late Jonathan and Evergreen (Walker) Bass on January 25, 1950. He graduated from Technical High School and went on to attend STCC, UMASS and Westfield State University where he majored in Media Arts and was a star player on the basketball team. Samuel spent his life building his incredibly rich legacy. He founded the city's first black-owned newspaper, The Bottom Line. He opened the Evergreen Diamond Center, the Common Ground Center of Arts & Culture, and launched Hoop City Enterprises. Samuel was a figure on local airwaves and tv screens- hosting a radio show and tv program for nearly 20 years. He was an avid musician- singer, drummer and keyboardist. He performed in local bands and Mt. Zion, mentoring and teaching young people to play the drums. Samuel also wrote and recorded his own music. A lifelong athlete- he played basketball for years at the YMCA and Dunbar League. Samuel was full of and in constant pursuit of knowledge- he was an avid reader, practiced Tai Chi and shared his knowledge generously.
Samuel's greatest joy in life was his family. He was predeceased by his dedicated parents and his loving son Jonathan S. "Flip" Bass. Samuel is survived by his devoted wife Wanda (Jackson) Bass, his daughters Yalonda Bass-Miller and her husband Fred, Rayna Bass-Wilson and her husband Jesse, grandchildren Ashleigh Thomas, Azzaria Bass, Jackson Miller ,Shaheed Miller, a great-granddaughter Rayleigh Lewis brother Josephus Bass (Barbara), sisters Gloria Williams (Bud), Lois Petterson, Lillian Dickerson, Janet Bass-Edington, Valerie Little, brothers-in-law James Jackson (Sharon), Julius Jackson (Cherry), sisters-in-law Carol Hurst, Janice King, Charlene Naylor (Leonard) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Samuel's impact was immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed by all.
A period of visitation for Sam will take place on Monday November 25, 2024, from 10am to 11:30am at Esther B. Griswold Theatre for the Performing Arts at American International College 1000 State St Springfield MA 01109. A service will immediately follow at the Griswold Theater starting at 11:30am, concluding with a burial at Oak Grove Cemetery 426 Bay Street Springfield, MA. 01109.
|
Bassett Family Association Database
1950 - 2024 (74 years)