John Angelo Basso
John Angelo Basso, 60, of Palmer Township, PA, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2022, in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono.
Born June 21, 1961, in Easton at Betts Hospital, he was a son of the late Jack James and Joyce Virginia (Davis) Basso.
John graduated from Easton Area High School, VocationalTechnical School of Eastern Northampton County, Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley, and Northampton Community College and learned from many mentors throughout his lifetime.
Over the years, many people gave John opportunities in areas which he had no formal education. Things came naturally to him, and people knew he was capable of doing those jobs. Management experience included retail, manufacturing, volunteer services and theater. Communications experience included program host, interviewer, voice over, news anchor
and master of ceremonies. He also worked in graphic design, customer service, marketing, public relations, writing, advertising, and radio. He was a volunteer and charter member of Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation Philanthropy and The American Family Immigration History Center at Ellis Island. He was a volunteer for the National World War II Memorial where he was a charter member of the American Battle Memorial Commission, and a former chairman for Easton Area High School Class of 1979 reunion committee.
He had also been a volunteer WRRS RadPrin news anchor, served on the board of directors and as stage management for Chansonnette Theatre of Easton, was a member of the Easton
Area Heritage Day Organizing Committee,
Shad Fishing Tournament Committee, Easton Centennial Committee, and Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Organization. He served on the board of directors and was a charter member of Riverside Festival for the Arts and as volunteer services manager and chief usher for State Theatre for the Arts. While with the State Theatre, he presented a conceptual idea of recognizing and awarding high school students. It was developed into “The Freddy Awards”, an annual award presentation for outstanding achievement in high school musical stage productions.
John received numerous outstanding customer service and sales associate awards. He was honored by the American Dental Association for Art Design. He was a William A. Foltz Memorial
Award Recipient from Vocational-Technical School of Eastern Northampton County, received a Volunteer Recognition of Service and Dedication Award from Veterans of Foreign Wars, Outstanding Volunteer for Service to the Community Recognition Award and Volunteer of the Year Certificate of Appreciation from Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley, Volunteer Recognition Award from WRRS RadPrin and Volunteer of the Year Certificate of Appreciation from Chansonnette Theatre. Surviving is a sister, Bonnie M. Davis and her husband Benjamin; a nephew and a niece, great-nieces and great-great-nieces. He was predeceased by his mother and father.
Services will be held at 11am Wednesday in the Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., 2101 Northampton Street, Wilson Borough. Call Wednesday 10-11am in the funeral home. Burial will be in Easton (Heights) Cemetery. Offer online condolences at www.strunkfh.com.
Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, American Liver Foundation, 1528 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 or The Center for Animal Health & Welfare, 1165 Island Park Road, Easton, PA
18042.