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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Thomas Stassen
Thomas
Stassen
d. Feb 24, 2022
Vacaville
Thomas Stassen's Obituary
Thomas Stassen, 75, peacefully entered his new life with the Lord on February 24, 2022.
Born to Ray and Dawn Stassen on April 21, 1946, he was the first baby born on Easter Sunday in Richmond, CA. Survived by his wife, Marti and two sons Drew and Ben, Tom, though he was quiet, will forever have a strong presence. Flying was his passion. He always declared, "I never worked a day in my life. I only played in the sky." His legacy lives on in his sons: both are enthusiastic pilots!
A high achiever from the start, Tom played All Star baseball, became an Eagle Scout, and graduated as valedictorian from Richmond High in 1964. As an ROTC student at UC Berkeley, he earned his degree in Criminalistics in 1969. After that Tom began his 21-year Air Force career, graduating top of his flight school class and earning the nickname "
Hands
." In the Air Force Tom served as a T-38 instructor pilot, an F-4 fighter pilot, and flew the OV-10 Bronco. Whilst a C-5 standardization evaluator, he was lucky enough to land the" big bird" on all 5 continents, including trips to Antarctica and Area 51. After only one weekend off, Tom changed course and commenced a 16-year flying career with Alaska Airlines.
When he wasn't showing off pictures of his bride and two sons (hopefully you had 20 minutes to spare), he enjoyed bowling, skiing, golfing, photography, woodworking, wine, computers, and fishing and soccer with the boys.
After meeting a Peruvian priest from Pro Ecclesia Sancta 15 years ago, he eagerly joined the lay component, the
Catholic Advance Movement
. Tom became a spiritual father to many of the young seminarians and often traveled to Peru and Minnesota for their priestly ordinations.
Tom will be interned in the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Lima, Peru.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Pro Ecclesia Sancta of CA, 3945 Joslin Lane, Vacaville, CA 95688.
A visitation with Rosary will be held on Friday, March 11 from 5-8:00 PM at Vaca Hills Chapel, 524 Elmira Road, Vacaville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, March 12 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 350 Stinson Avenue, Vacaville. A Celebration of Life will follow the Mass at Leisuretown Clubhouse, 100 Sequoia Drive, Vacaville from 12:00-4:00 PM.
The Liturgy will also be available via Livestream. You can use this link:
https://www.youtube.com/c/StMarysVacaville
To plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our tree store.
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