Elmo
Alfred Sassorossi, 99, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 20,
2024, at Gazebo Senior Living in South Burlington, Vt.
Elmo
was born on January 26, 1925, to Louis and Josephine (Columbo)
Sassorossi in Barre, which became his geographical anchor throughout
his life.
He
spoke only Italian when growing up in his North Barre home, learning
English when he went to grade school. After graduating from Spaulding
High School in 1942, Elmo entered Harvard College, where his studies
were interrupted when he enlisted in the Army. Deployed to France as
an infantryman, he participated in the Battle of the Bulge. When the
war ended, Elmo returned to Harvard, where he dated Norma Troup, who
was studying nursing at Simmons College.
Norma
and Elmo were married on April 9, 1949, a date — 4/9/49 — that
Elmo often reminded his family made it easy to remember
anniversaries. Returning to Barre, Elmo joined his father in
operating the Colonial Granite Company for many years. Elmo and Norma
started a family in 1951 with the birth of Kenn, followed by a second
son, Jeff, two years later.
Following
the sale of the business, Elmo began his long career in state
government with the Department of Education. When the Medicaid
program was created in 1965, Elmo was appointed as Vermont’s first
Medicaid director, a position he would retire from after serving for
more than 20 years.
Elmo
and Norma enjoyed an active social life, much centering around
golfing with friends at the Country Club of Barre. Elmo, a founding
member of the Barre Kiwanis Club, was active in the organization for
75 years. He was also a member of the Mutuo Soccorso Society, the
Masonic lodge and the American Legion.
Elmo
was able to explore his love of woodworking during retirement. He
combined those skills with Norma’s prowess with a paintbrush to
create dollhouses, many intricate toys and other treasures for his
family. Elmo also teamed with Norma at Christmas to produce delicious
and decorative platters of Christmas confections, pasta frollas, ossi
dei morti cookies, and a parade of pies. Retirement also presented an
opportunity for the couple to travel. They visited Italy, Australia
and New Zealand, eager to experience the beauty of other countries.
Norma
and Elmo remained at their Abbott Avenue home in Barre until 2016,
when they moved to the Gazebo Apartments assisted living facility in
South Burlington. After years of his love and tender care for Norma,
she passed away in 2019.
Elmo
is survived by two children, four grandchildren and eight
great-grandchildren. The family includes Kenn Sassorossi and his
wife, Judy (Bickford) Sassorossi; their daughter Kathryn (Sassorossi)
Aisenberg, her husband, Jon Aisenberg, and their children, Lucia and
Dario; their daughter Martha Sassorossi, her husband, Rafael Ferrer,
and their daughters, Vera Adelina and Serafina Simone; and Jeff
Sassorossi and his wife, Beverly (Darling) Sassorossi; their son,
William Sassorossi, his wife, Magaret (Newton) Sassorossi, and their
children, Eleanor and Samuel; their daughter, Kristine (Sassorossi)
Guthrie, her husband, Eric Guthrie, and their children, Theodore and
Vivienne. Elmo is also survived by his niece, Cindy Dye Kearley; her
husband, Steven Kearley; and their son, Kevin. Elmo’s older
brother, Dario, was killed in action in France during World War II.
The
family deeply appreciates the support and care provided by the staff
of Gazebo Senior Living and the volunteers and staff of University of
Vermont Home Health and Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions may be made to the Barre Kiwanis Club, PO Box 724,
Barre, VT 05641.
Interment
will take place at the convenience of the family. There are no
calling hours. Arrangements are by Hooker Whitcomb Funeral &
Cremation Services, 7 Academy Street, Barre. For a memorial
guestbook, please visit hookerwhitcomb.com.
