A Tribute to my Father who passed away at age 89

   This blog was started as a journal of the "light" side of my life. My intent was to keep my personal life out of it for the most part but sometimes I depart from that self-imposed guideline. I was prompted to do so after a memoriam condolence letter was posted about my father who recently passed away.   My father lived about 15 years with a traumatic brain injury after a fall. Like I mentioned before in another blog, my father, while working for RCA, installed the first television network in Haddon Hall, now Resorts International Casino.  Even with his injury there were a few stories that he often repeated like the one where he skipped a grade in elementary school because he was such a good student, always related the story about the historical flight of Emilio Carranza and the subsequent crash not far from his home, and his time working at Haddon Hall. As the oldest daughter of five, no brothers, I remember these early days. He car pooled daily to Pleasantville, NJ with fellow workers that lived in Hammonton, NJ. So I was very proud to see this letter of condolence from a man that I would assume is older than 89 because he was my father's boss or at least his equal:

Lewis Tassone 1922-2012

    My condolences to the family. So sorry to hear of Lew's passing. I had the rare privilege to work with Lew during his years with RCA television. He was the BEST electronics technician I ever met during my years at RCA 1958 to 1993. In addition he was really a very honorable gentleman and a man of principle. Lew and I worked on a major project in early 1959 when he ENGINEERED the wiring of a TV antenna system at the old Haddon Hall Hotel in Atlantic City (now Resorts International Casino). Lew engineered that job for an 1100 TV set antenna system long before RCA ever had an engineering division for commercial TV installations. Also, I remember the other RCA techs from Hammonton, Fred Fitchett and Frank Piperata. They all used to ride together to our RCA branch in Pleasantville in those days. I am glad that Lew had such a long life and a family he can certainly be proud of. One cannot ask for more of life. Again my condolences, Monty Holt, Master Technician, RCA retired.

     Eventually he left RCA and joined Sam Morris and Jim Leeds in starting an appliance store called C&H on High Street in Millville. It was a successful business because the sales were backed up with a strong service department which included my father. I knew when my father started this venture it would have been a challenge for him to be a "sales person" but when you are selling good appliances and service, there is not much need to be a slick salesman with a good "pitch". He did take a Dale Carnegie course to help him to be more of a "people person" but I doubt that it was necessary. Promotions were offered by the RCA Corporation. When they met sale goals, they were rewarded with free vacations. This allowed my parents to travel to Europe, Mexico and California. They always stayed at the best hotels and my mother was always charmed by some engaging tour guide that spoke English. One of their favorite vacations was at the Villa d'Este situated on Lake Como near where George Clooney now has his estate :