Obituary of Michael Robert Sassone

Michael Robert Sassone of Bristow, VA, died Sunday, June 29, 2025, at his home, surrounded by family, after a short illness. Michael was born on May 13, 1957, in Olean, NY, and was a 1975 graduate of Olean High School. After graduating from OHS, Michael attended the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia, and graduated with distinction in 1979 with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He received a Master’s degree in 1992 from Florida Institute of Technology in Management. Michael began his career in Camden, NJ, in 1980 at Radio Corporation of America (RCA), where he worked until 1987. He joined E-Systems in St. Petersburg, FL, as Principal Engineer in Mechanical Engineering Design, where he worked from 1987 until 1994. In 1994, E-Systems was acquired by Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems, and Michael moved to Dulles, VA. He continued his career with Raytheon and rose to the position of Sr. Principal Specialist of Project Management. He made several trips to Aurora, CO, to work with the National Reconnaissance Office on satellite systems and was commended in a letter of appreciation for his work and received a letter of appreciation for being a crucial member of the CSS Program Office Team. His duties also included travels to Europe and Australia, prior to his retirement from Raytheon in 2019. Michael loved to travel and visited numerous National Parks and attractions across the country. He was an avid gardener, lover of nature, and birder, which he focused on following his retirement. He was a lifelong sports fan and a season ticket holder and passionate fan of his alma mater, University of Virginia, football and basketball teams. Michael quickly developed a group of incredible friends through UVA sports that he treasured for 30+ years, including tailgates and travels to road games to root for the Cavaliers. These friends include Roger & Robin Millay, Jeff & Marianne Lohr, as well as countless others. He was also a season ticket holder of George Mason University’s men’s basketball program and a lifelong fan of St. Bonaventure basketball and Buffalo Bills football. Michael was a long-time member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gainesville, VA, and All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas, VA. Michael was preceded in death by his father, Robert (Bob) Sassone, and brother, Robert (Bobby) Sassone. He is survived by his mother, Irene Sassone, of Olean, NY, and his long-time friend, Terry Hershberger of Bristow, VA. Survivors also include sisters Ann (Francis) Tommasino of Newport News, VA and Laurie (Mike) Kalo of Seminole, FL; his brother John Sassone of Treasure Island, FL; nephews Robert (Bobby) and Greg Sassone, Jerome, Mark, and Nick Kalo, Franco Tommasino, and Andrew Sassone; and one niece, Christine Tommasino, as well as many grand-nephews and grand-nieces. The family will welcome friends on July 12, 2025, for visitation and a service at St. Bonaventure Parish, 95 E Main Street, Allegany, NY. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:00 AM, with the funeral Mass starting at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mt. Irenaeus by mail (Mt. Irenaeus, P.O. Box 100, West Clarksville, NY 14786) or via their website: https://mountainonline.org.