John Anthony Sasso
John Anthony Sasso of Montauk, who had a long career in business and was a music arranger and brass instrument instructor, died at home at noon on Sunday of an unexpected heart attack. He was 76.
Mr. Sasso had worked as an executive at the Hazeltine Corporation, then as founder and chief executive officer of Esprit Systems, a commercial computer products company. He was also the president of Fire Burglary Instruments, a division of the Ademco Corporation.
Having moved to Montauk 12 years ago, Mr. Sasso remained active as a business consultant and as a member of a business coaching advisory board. He enjoyed fishing and was considered a “grill master and great cook,” said his son, John Sasso of Rockville Centre, who survives.
“John was my neighbor for 10 years and he was the best neighbor anyone could have,” Michael O’Connell of Montauk said. “He was a gentleman and a superb barbecuer. I will miss him greatly.”
Most of all, his son said, he was a musician, arranging music for brass instruments and teaching. He was inducted into both the Buglers Hall of Fame and the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame.
Mr. Sasso was born on Nov. 28, 1940, in Brooklyn, one of three sons of the former Mildred Nuzzo and Theodore Sasso. He grew up in Brooklyn and Queens, receiving a bachelor of science in economics from Hofstra University. In April 1964, he and the former Louise Zolezzi married and moved to Massapequa, living there for 10 years, and then to Northport, where the family lived until they moved year round to Montauk.
In addition to his wife and son, his daughter, Linda Duca of Rockville Centre and Montauk, survives, as do his brothers, Ted Sasso of Massapequa and Fred Sasso of Jupiter, Fla., and six grandchildren.
A funeral Mass will be said by the Rev. Tom Murray at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Montauk tomorrow at 11 a.m. The family has suggested memorial donations to the Montauk Community Food Pantry, care of St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, 67 South Essex Street, Montauk 11954.