AT THE CASEY - O'DONNELL FAMILY FUNERAL HOME - Stephen R. Sasala II, age 59, of Washington Rd. Woodbury, passed peacefully at home late Friday evening ,with his loving wife Betsy, brother Dan and close friends at his side, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the husband of Betsy Love-Sasala.
Steve was born in Pittsburgh PA on December 22, 1949, the son of the late Stephen R. and Mary (Marino) Sasala. Steve received his BA in Economics from Duquesne University, a Masters of Science, Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a second Master in Urban and Regional Planning from University of Pittsburgh. He also was a graduate of the Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Senior Executive Program. His professional governmental career led him to the State of New Jersey where he served the Whitman Administration as Deputy Commissioner of Corrections from 1994-1996, Special Deputy Commissioner, Banking and Insurance and Deputy Commissioner, NJ Department of Community Affairs from 1996-1999. In 1999 he accepted a position as President & CEO of "Prosperity New Jersey, Inc", an Economic Development entity, where he served until his appointment as President and CEO of the Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2003.
Steve brought great vision and strength to the Waterbury Regional Chamber and worked exhaustively to create new momentum. His accomplishments were significant and his work was not yet done when he became ill. He developed a new business model, conducted a competitive Economic Growth Assessment, expanded the membership from 750 to 1000 members and refocused the Chamber efforts on core functions. He was instrumental in assisting the City of Waterbury with the creation of a unified economic development corporation (WDC), led an effort to create statewide legislation to limit certain liabilities to Brownfields developers and established a pilot project and led the effort to bring the Main St program to Waterbury, which is now the largest in the state. He was the recipient of the 2004 Humanitarian Award from the Waterbury Chapter of the NAACP and was active in many state and local associations and councils.
Steve had a passion for helping others. He was clearly a "people person" and the consummate diplomat, which are reasons he excelled in his work. Steve was always ready to give someone a "leg-up" or an extra boost to make their lives more successful. While he loved the exciting activities and politics of Waterbury, he was most at ease and at home in the peaceful tranquility of Woodbury. Time with his family, his best friend and wife Betsy and his devoted and faithful partners in life, Labrador Retrievers, "Eli and Avis", is where he was most happy and content.
Besides his wife Betsy, Steve is survived by his only brother, Dan and his wife Char of Gibsonia PA, his nephews Matt and Jon and niece, Dana and great nephews, Connor, Jacob and Jack.
Funeral services for Mr. Sasala will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 10:00am at the Woodbury United Methodist Church, 3 Church St. Woodbury. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Family and friends may visit at the Woodbury United Methodist Church on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 from 3-7pm. The Casey-O'Donnell Family Funeral Home, 1581 East Main St. Waterbury has been entrusted to assist the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Steve's memory may be made to: American Cancer Society, 538 Preston Ave. PO BOX 1004, Meriden CT 06450, Tribury Relay for Life, "Team Strides for Steve". For additional information, to leave an e-condolence, light a virtual candle or view the family's memorial video tribute kindly visit the funeral home website at: www.caseyodonnell.com .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Stephen R. R. Sasala 2nd, please visit our flower store.
Steve was born in Pittsburgh PA on December 22, 1949, the son of the late Stephen R. and Mary (Marino) Sasala. Steve received his BA in Economics from Duquesne University, a Masters of Science, Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a second Master in Urban and Regional Planning from University of Pittsburgh. He also was a graduate of the Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Senior Executive Program. His professional governmental career led him to the State of New Jersey where he served the Whitman Administration as Deputy Commissioner of Corrections from 1994-1996, Special Deputy Commissioner, Banking and Insurance and Deputy Commissioner, NJ Department of Community Affairs from 1996-1999. In 1999 he accepted a position as President & CEO of "Prosperity New Jersey, Inc", an Economic Development entity, where he served until his appointment as President and CEO of the Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2003.
Steve brought great vision and strength to the Waterbury Regional Chamber and worked exhaustively to create new momentum. His accomplishments were significant and his work was not yet done when he became ill. He developed a new business model, conducted a competitive Economic Growth Assessment, expanded the membership from 750 to 1000 members and refocused the Chamber efforts on core functions. He was instrumental in assisting the City of Waterbury with the creation of a unified economic development corporation (WDC), led an effort to create statewide legislation to limit certain liabilities to Brownfields developers and established a pilot project and led the effort to bring the Main St program to Waterbury, which is now the largest in the state. He was the recipient of the 2004 Humanitarian Award from the Waterbury Chapter of the NAACP and was active in many state and local associations and councils.
Steve had a passion for helping others. He was clearly a "people person" and the consummate diplomat, which are reasons he excelled in his work. Steve was always ready to give someone a "leg-up" or an extra boost to make their lives more successful. While he loved the exciting activities and politics of Waterbury, he was most at ease and at home in the peaceful tranquility of Woodbury. Time with his family, his best friend and wife Betsy and his devoted and faithful partners in life, Labrador Retrievers, "Eli and Avis", is where he was most happy and content.
Besides his wife Betsy, Steve is survived by his only brother, Dan and his wife Char of Gibsonia PA, his nephews Matt and Jon and niece, Dana and great nephews, Connor, Jacob and Jack.
Funeral services for Mr. Sasala will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 10:00am at the Woodbury United Methodist Church, 3 Church St. Woodbury. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Family and friends may visit at the Woodbury United Methodist Church on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 from 3-7pm. The Casey-O'Donnell Family Funeral Home, 1581 East Main St. Waterbury has been entrusted to assist the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Steve's memory may be made to: American Cancer Society, 538 Preston Ave. PO BOX 1004, Meriden CT 06450, Tribury Relay for Life, "Team Strides for Steve". For additional information, to leave an e-condolence, light a virtual candle or view the family's memorial video tribute kindly visit the funeral home website at: www.caseyodonnell.com .
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