George Anthony Grasso

George A. Grasso of Harwich - devoted husband, brother, uncle, teacher, coach, and friend - passed away at Cape Cod Hospital on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. George faced his final days with the same fierce independence, control, and fearlessness with which he lived his entire life. George was born on August 24, 1941, to the late Rose (Rubino) Grasso and Raymond A. Grasso Sr., attended public schools in East Hartford, CT, and graduated proudly from Boston College in 1963.

A mentor by nature, George’s start to a professional career began as a math teacher at East Catholic High school in Manchester, CT for two years, then transitioned to teaching math at Plainville High School, his home for over 30 years. George’s instructional style mirrored the principles of Differentiated Instruction years before the practice came into vogue. Simply stated, struggling students were given review, confidence, and support while more skilled students were encouraged to challenge themselves beyond their textbooks. Throughout his tenure at Plainville High, George coached season-winning boys' cross-country and track teams, started the first girls’ cross-country team, and even coached the school’s first “Powder Puff” football team. George’s dedication to teaching math and his leadership among his teaching colleagues earned him the title of department head in 1977 until his retirement in 1999. One of George’s proudest moments after retirement came in 2004 when he was invited back to Plainville to be inducted into the Plainville Sports Hall of Fame. His induction tribute included these words: “George represents the finest in an educator who coached with a passion that many have, but only a few can harness and share for the benefit of the team.”

Professional success and accolades aside, the most memorable and important chapter of George’s life began the day he married Barbara Jeanne Quinn on July 20, 1969 – the date of the first human footfall on the moon and the beginning of a lifetime of adventures for George and Barbara that lasted almost 54 years. Barbara, a Plymouth colleen, brought radiance, laughter, art, and love of Cape Cod into the marriage. Although their first home was in landlocked New Britain, CT, it was clear that there would be far more seascapes than landscapes in their future. Through their career years in Connecticut (Barbara was an Art teacher then later the Art Director for the Bristol, CT public schools), George and Barbara spent most weekends and vacations on the Cape until moving permanently to their Harwich home in 2006.

On the Cape, George and Barbara fell quite comfortably into a rhythm that best suited their interests and personalities. Barbara set out myriad birdfeeders while George threatened squirrels; George visited The Dump regularly while Barbara painted bogs and marshes. After holding hands seated in beach chairs, Barbara would paddle off for a quick swim while George fretted over all the places one might find sand in a bathing suit. When Barbara went on one of her Cape bike rides or hikes, George would scurry off to the marina to sit on his boat (which never left the mooring), drink his coffee, and read the three newspapers he purchased each and every morning.

The true test of George’s love proved an almost insurmountable challenge when Barbara became ill and was no longer able to care for herself. George never left her side, provided comfort, care, and support in every conceivable way, and struggled to keep her in the home she loved for as long as it was possible. No one could have done it better.

In the final hours of George’s life, his brother Ray visited him via FaceTime. George knew his life was ending, expressed no fear, and hoped that Barbara would be well taken care of. When Ray asked George how he would like to be remembered, George quickly and confidently replied, “As a friend.” And that he was.

George is survived by his beloved wife Barbara, brother Raymond, Raymond’s children Jennifer Lynn Curran and Matthew Grasso and their families, and Barbara’s Quinn and Kenney families. A special thank-you is owed to three loyal friends who stood by George for many years – Barbara and Brian Murphy and Gilbert Oliveira. A Mass of Christian Burial for George will be celebrated on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at 11:00 AM in Holy Trinity Church, Route 28, West Harwich, MA. There are no calling hours. Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home is overseeing all final arrangements. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a memorial donation in George’s name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 (give.michaeljfox.org).