Birth date: Jul 21, 1932 Death date: Oct 19, 2017
John F. Blasi, Ph.D. passed away peacefully on October 19, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. John was born in Syracuse, NY on July 21, 1932. John was educated in the Jesuit Catholic tradition at LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY, and Read Obituary
Here it is four years later and I am remembering John and his strength in the face of evil, petty and deep. so many are in his debt because of his kindness and tenacity. God speed John. We love you.
Dear Marietta: I just saw this and am hoping you are still receiving notes. If so, my deepest sympathy. I remember so well the years we spent together at LeMoyne. John was truly a good man. I still suffer when I recall his leaving LeMoyne. My prayers, Joe Billotti, S.J. ([email protected])
Dr. Blasi was the College registrar when I began my freshman year at LeMoyne in 1963. I had to go see him to register for the military draft when I turned 18 in November of that year. I stiil recall his welcoming demeanor and friendly personality to this day. He made a runny nosed frosh feel very special and he made me realize how important it is to treat everyone in a kind and civil way even if you don't see them every day. A special man he was indeed!! God Bless!!//J. Penrose
Dear Marietta and family,
It is meet and just that LeMoyne celebrate the life of your loved one.
He certainly used the time of his life to honor the Lord.
Carolyn Romeo Darrah
North High School, Our Lady of Pompei, and LeMoyne College 1960.
Semper Fi!
To me, those two words mean John Blasi.
Mr. Blasi came into my life in 1965 when I was a freshman at LeMoyne. What a personal and spiritual gift from that day forward. Leader, cheerleader, mentor, role model, a paesan, (he always, quietly, discreetly, but pointedly expected more from his Italian students and friends). Miracle of miracles for me, a blessed friend for 52 years.
My father was old school - fathers and sons didn't talk much in my father's world. Respect was much more important. Honor and respect meant just as much to John; but he talked and I listened. When I talked, he listened and then encouraged, supported and championed me. Then he always talked some more: about honor, duty, fidelity, parenting, doing good for anyone everyone. And he laughed, just looked at you like you were the only person on the planet.
The love and joy he expressed for others, for me, was boundless.
John always was marching. Life was one big parade ground. And you just fell in step with him.
When he found out I played handball in NY city it was game on. Absolutely the only thing I every beat him at - and he made me do it multiple times before the game was over. And he loved it. Like he loved everything he did.
Was it two or three jobs he found for me after graduation? If it was a year, three years, even five years between phone calls: "Hello, Mr. Blasi." I'd say. Immediately, "Hi Jimmy, how are you doing." He deeply wanted know how you were doing, what you were doing, what you were going to do.
Maybe St. Paul had more energy, I'm not sure. Paul had epistles. John Blasi had stories, anecdotes and facial expressions that could light up a room, a heart, (or a conscience if you weren't quite measuring up).
What a great, good man. A gift to those who got to know him.
John Blasi -Semper Fi!
Jimmy Bencivenga, LeMoyne class of 1969.
May this Irish blessing bring comfort and peace to Marietta and family as they grieve the loss of our beloved John:
Those we love don't go away,
They walk beside us every day
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.
I will be eternally grateful to John (affectionately known to his admirers as "The Blazz") for his selfless friendship and incomparable mentoring. I was in awe of his ability to remember every LeMoyne student's name, his characteristic infectious smile that lit up the countenance of everyone he encountered, and his commitment to active listening notwithstanding the pressing demands that would have distracted an ordinary man. John Blasi was an outstanding role model as Dean of Students at LeMoyne - truly a man for others (AMDG) in the Jesuit tradition.
We pray that John may rest in peace, and that Perpetual Light may shine upon him.
Larry McKenna, Class of 1968
Marietta and Family,
I just heard about John's death. I am not in Syracuse, and thank you to my sister who recognized his name and just told me. She certainly did and should recognize his name. John was my Mentor and Guide through years of educational success. After 2 years at Onondaga Community College, he was the person who helped me get full scholarships at LeMoyne College for last 2 years of a undergraduate degree, and then Syracuse University for graduate degrees.
He always had time for "people" who asked for help, and was always aware of those who didn't ask, but needed help. He never waited for us to go to him--- he came to us when he perceived the need. He was an amazing man for all seasons--- to be sure. The accolades that are always given to those who have died are always beautiful... but JOHN deserved every word, every accolade, every honor that we: all of us who he helped through educational pursuits, and life's crises, can give him.
You and your family gave him the time away from all of you to help all of us.
Bless you- every one---
We all ask "What can one person do to make a difference" ?
PLEASE know he was a single person who indeed made a difference in so many lives.
What a role model.
What a wonderful friend to all.
What a gift from God to all of us.
I pray his memory and his deeds help you all through the pain of his loss.
Memories are healing, and the good memories soon become the only ones we remember. I know that... I have been missing my love for 7 years. It is always an ache; but, an ache that becomes familiar and acceptable with the happy times and memories taking precedence over the pain of loss.
my love and hugs of memories....
Connie Hall
I knew John Blasi when he was Headmaster of the Syracuse Hebrew Day School and I was on the school board. John was a delight to know and talk to and I always wanted to thank him for his exemplary service to the Jewish community. I considered John a friend and feel blessed to have known him and am very sad that I will no longer have the opportunity to be with him again. My sincere sympathy to his family. From Philip C. Miller Attorney and former Onondaga Town Judge.
Dear Blasi Family, I just wanted to send my sympathies on your loss of Dr. Blasi. He was a wonderful and thoughtful man. I hated high school and didn’t want to go to college. My parents were very concerned and at a loss of what to do. My father, Hon. Leonard F. Bersani, called his friend Dr. Blasi to talk to me. Dr. Blasi and I went to breakfast and talked about college. He convinced me to try going to OCC and I went. I loved college, and later on graduated from Le Moyne. A few years later I went and graduated from graduate school. I’ll never forgot the best advice I ever received from anyone, Dr. Blasi telling me to try college. Sincerely, Theresa M. Bersani-Carioti
