~ IN MEMORY ~
DL Capt. Charles H. Sassone
Commander Charles H. “Chip” Sassone, USNR Ret.
Jun 18, 1954 ~ Oct 10, 2024
We note the passing of retired Delta Air Lines
pilot Captain Charles Huntley Sassone, age 70.
Captain Sassone joined Delta Air Lines 04-07-1988. He is survived by his wife Deborah, and by
his children and their families.
For those who may wish to send a personal note to
the family, I see the Sassone’s residence listed in whitepages as
400 W Tuscola St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734
PCN memorial site
https://www.legacy.com/funeral-homes/obituaries/name/charles-chip-sassone-obituary?pid=207885569&v=batesville
Charles "Chip"'s Obituary
Commander Charles H. “Chip” Sassone, USNR Ret.
Frankenmuth, MI; formerly of Virginia Beach, VA
Chip passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October
10, 2024, at My Michigan Medical Center, at the age of 70. He was born on June
18, 1954, in Portsmouth, VA, to the late Charles H. and Alyce M. Sassone. Chip
earned a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Virginia in 1977. He married
the woman he couldn’t live without, Deborah Taylor, on May 23, 1981; she
survives him.
Chip served honorably in the United States Navy as
both a Naval Aviator and a Landing Signal Officer. He, Debbie, and their
children served in California, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, and Virginia. He
was an officer aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and served in Lebanon in
1983. Chip continued his service as a reservist after leaving active duty and
retired as a Commander after 20 years of service.
After leaving the Navy, Chip was employed by Delta
Airlines as a pilot, most notably as the Fleet Captain for the Boeing 777
fleet. As a Delta Captain, he had the honor of flying the Olympic torch from
Athens, Greece, to Salt Lake City, Utah, for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and
flew troops overseas for service during Desert Storm. After being forced to
stop flying commercially at the age of 65 by the FAA, Chip continued working as
an instructor and on special projects for Delta, one of which he leaves unfinished.
He had 31 years of service with Delta.
Chip was a member of St. Lorenz Lutheran Church.
He was an active member of the Frankenmuth Noon Rotary Club, where he served as
President and was a multiple-time Paul Harris Fellow.
He also served on the board of the Michigan Heroes
Museum and the I Support the 1% Veterans Food Pantry, among others. He was a
dedicated volunteer at many Frankenmuth events, including Auto Fest, Bringin’
Back the 80s, and the Taste of Frankenmuth. Chip was committed to helping his
family, community, and friends above all else. He never turned down a challenge
or a request for help.
Surviving, besides his wife Deb, are his three
sons, Charles Michael (Lena) Sassone of Atlanta, GA, Matthew Sassone of
Atlanta, GA, and Nicholas (Abby) Sassone of Chicago, IL; his daughter, Hannah
(Garrett) Morris of Alma, MI; his granddaughter, Riley Rose Morris; his sister,
Jane (Jim) Johnson of Frankenmuth; his nieces, Jennifer (Gage) Graham and
Ashley Johnson; his nephew, James Johnson; and many more family members and
close friends.
Besides his parents, Chip was preceded in death by
his sister, Susan Elizabeth Marsh.
A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday,
October 19, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, 1030 W. Tuscola
St. Frankenmuth, Michigan. Military Honors will begin at 11:50 a.m. Rev. Brad
Hubbard will officiate. Cremation has taken place. Chip’s family will receive
visitors at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of
flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider
donations to the Michigan Heroes Museum or I Support the 1% Veterans Food Pantry.
