Gregory Leo Sassani

Gregory Leo Sassani

Gregory Sassani of Columbia and formerly of Harrisburg PA, died on Friday, November 24th. Greg was born in Camp Hill, PA on Jan. 2nd, 1964. He graduated from the Capital Area Intermediate Unit, Oberlin Ctr., in 1985. He was a longtime participant in Special Olympics, primarily swimming. His involvement included local and PA state events and culminated in his selection to participate in the 1983 Int'l Summer Special Olympic Games at LSU in Baton Rouge LA, where he received both silver and bronze medals. Gregory enjoyed going to work with his father at Litvin Law Group and seeing his friend Andy Litvin.

Greg is survived by his parents, Susan & Leo, his sister Jennifer of Columbia & brother Geoffrey (Sonia) of East Berlin PA, nieces Madeline & McKenzie, nephews Mitchell & Marc and an extended family throughout the country. Also from PA: Aunts Patricia Lindsey, Marita Maloney and Marie Sassani; cousins David, Diane, Steven, and Lisa Sassani, Louise (Scott) Steck, Karen (Rick) Bloomingdale, Kevin (Anne) Lindsay, Kelly (Craig) Weber, Coleen (Ron) Cohle, Brian (Sherry) Maloney, Kathleen (John) Purcell, Kerry Maloney & Terence (Tammy) Maloney. From California: Aunt Barbara Reardon, cousins Maureen Reardon, Kathleen (Rob) Wilson and Tim (Martica) Reardon. From FL: Kristy Lindsay, Tom (Darlene) Maloney and Michael (Pam) Maloney. Greg is also survived by special family friends; Debby Kaufman, Tonya Butler, Ina and Larry Poindexter and family, Gail Luckey, Pat Christiansen and Karen Ozimek.

A funeral mass will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 100 Polo Road, Columbia, on Friday, December 1st at 2:00 pm with Father “Sandy” Alexander McDonald as Celebrant assisted by Deacon Stick Thibodeaux. A service and burial will be held in Harrisburg PA at a yet to be determined date.

The family wishes to thank Judy James, Greg's Personal Care Aide, for her dedicated service during the past year. They also extend thanks to his friends at the Rice Creek McDonald's for their many acts of kindness over the years; Tonya Butler, Robert Valdez (Valdez Mgt. Co.), Maddie, Mary, Carolyn and Ivey, and his Kroger Marketplace family; GM-Steve Leonard, Elaine Glenn, Cindy, Breana, Dawn and Zander.

We also extend our thanks and appreciation to the volunteers who run the “Fun Friday” program at Good Shepard Lutheran Church on Forest Dr. in Columbia. While he was able to participate, Greg thoroughly enjoyed the fun and socialization.

As Greg's brother Geoff mentioned in a recently posted Facebook remembrance; “Greg was so lucky to have so many wonderful people in his life . . . He touched and was touched by many!

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the PA Special Olympics in Greg's honor (http://www.specialolympicspa.org/)

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