Obituary of Frank J. LaSasso

Frank LaSasso Jr., 87, of Hammonton passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. Born in Hammonton he was a lifelong resident. He was 1952 graduate of Hammonton High School, where he was a three sport athlete and captain of the football and basketball teams. Frank joined the U.S. Marines after high school and was honorably discharged in 1953. Frank married the love of his life, Bettie Celona on May 8, 1955. Frank played semi pro football for Hammonton from 1953 until 1964. He was the player/manager of the Hammonton Black Sox. He coached, played and ran the Hammonton City Basketball League. Coached Babe Ruth baseball from 1955-1958 and Little League Baseball from 1966 - 1976. He coached baseball at St. Augustine in 1970 and at St. Joseph from 1979-1985. He coached the Hammonton Hawks from 1967-1981, and football at St. Joseph from 1976-1981. Frank is a member of the Hammonton High School and St. Joseph High School Athletic Halls of Fame. He is a member of the Hammonton Little League Wall of Fame and has a field at the Lake Park named in his honor. He was honored by the Hammonton Lions Club as Citizen of the Year. He was honored by the Hammonton Chamber of Commerce, and by the National Football Foundation for his contributions to amateur football. He served the Town of Hammonton as a police officer for thirty two years retiring as a Captain in 1993. In Frank's lifetime as a police officer, coach, father, grandfather and friend he molded and shaped many lives from fellow officers, doctors, lawyers, principals, and men who followed him in coaching. He was a master motivator who made everyone do things they didn't know they could do or were capable of doing. One fellow officer said the Frank was the only person he ever feared, but his heart was even bigger than how tough he was. The last four years of his life were made comfortable and happy because of his loving granddaughter, Danielle, his Living Angel. He was predeceased by his wife, Bettie, his son, Richard, parent Frank and Mary, his sisters, Marion, Diane, Linda, and brother Robert (Rollo). He is survived by his three sons, Frank LaSasso III (Marcia), James LaSasso (Lori), Dante LaSasso (Karen), seven grandchildren, Nicole (Nick), Frank IV (Tiffany), Danielle (Brandon), Michael, Laila, Aaron, and Hannah, six great grandchildren, Aubrey, Ricky, Emma, Rileigh, Frank V, and Gino , one sister, Rosie Scaffidi and two brothers, Joseph LaSasso (Barbara), and Richard LaSasso (Karen). A viewing will be held on Sunday, November 15, 2020 from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM and Monday, November 16, 2020 from 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM at the Carnesale Funeral Home, 202 S. Third Street in Hammonton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday 11:00 AM at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Parish Church of St. Joseph's, 226 French Street in Hammonton. Burial will follow at Greenmount Cemetery in Hammonton. In lieu of flowers donations to the Hammonton Little League, PO Box 1025, Hammonton, NJ 08037, Hammonton Hawks, PO Box 782, Hammonton, NJ 08037 or to Animal Aid, 200 Springdale Lane, Williamstown, NJ 08094 would be greatly appreciated. www.carnesalefuneralhome.com