Ralph Sassaman Obituary

Ralph was always a hard worker in whatever he was involved in. Totally immersed in sports and playing sports. Just a great person. RIP

Fondly remembering Ralph today. He is sorely missed.

Remembering Ralph fondly today

I had the privilege of knowing Ralph as my neighbor and my Driver's Ed teacher. My thoughts and prayers for Cindy, Jamie and Ryan.

My deepest sympathy to a fellow EHS graduate of 962.

Mrs. Sassaman,
I am writing on behalf of my mother (Patricia Horney) and my family. My mother wanted me to express the utmost respect she had for Mr. Sassaman and appreciation for his attendance at my father's funeral. I wanted to express my respect for one of the more outstanding coaches in my life and for the help Mr. Sassaman gave me towards my acceptance in the U.S. Naval Academy. He was one-of-a-kind and will be remembered.

Sorry for you and your family's loss. A classmate from Emmaus.
Doris Vanderpool

Cindy,

Thinking of you and your family, and wishing that faith and fond memories will help you through this difficult time.

I will always remember and be grateful for Ralph's thoughtfulness and help by clearing my driveway while I was stuck at work during snow storms. His winter surprises brought many a smile to my face.

Ralph was a kind and generous person who enjoyed his family, friends and sports. If there isn't a sports team in heaven, I'm sure there will be one after he gets there.

Peace be with you,
Nancy

Cindy, Jamie, and Ryan- I am so sorry for your loss! I have lots of memories of the whole family growing up across the street. Ralph was always a great father and husband! My thoughts are with you all! Kate Young Morton

I miss my friend.

Sorry for your loss

RIP to the man that taught me how to drive! He was a very good teacher and very patient with me (Lord knows I needed patience). My condolences are with his family.

Cindy & family. Our thoughts are with you at this time. But when I remember Ralph, what really makes me smile is the great times that we had at Canal & Kalamazoo! Steve Miller.

Cindy we are sending our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. We have wonderful memories of our times together as young married couples who happened to have a love of teaching. Ralph always had a smile on his face. May your wonderful memories give you some peace.

May the love of family and friends sustain Ralph's family during their time of loss. My heartfelt condlences. Ralph has been a friend for more than 40 years. He always had a story or smile to share.

cindy and family:sorry to hear about ralph.we had some great times together.all of practices and games and coaches meetings.one time sitting in your back yard until early am just talking about x players and life in general.he always found me when he would come back to games after he left newark coaching.he will be missed by me and many many others.

As fellow student at Newark High we will always remember Mr. Sassaman's willingness to help others, his positive attitude and his darling face in the classroom and halls. He was a lovely man! My sisters and I enjoyed him dearly and feel such a honor to know this outstanding guy. My deepest condolences to the Sassaman family and friends.

I am so sorry for your loss of a such a beloved coach, teacher and family man.

Ralph was my homeroom teacher at Newark High School in the 80's and had such an upbeat ,energetic and fun personality.

He was a great blessing to his community and family!

Patricia L. Morgan Class of 84 NHS

BROTHER BUTCH (RALPH) WHOSE LIFE WAS SO WELL LIVED. THESE PAST TWO YEARS HE FOUGHT TO ENJOY LIFE AND WE GRIEVE HIS LOSS. WE WILL HONOR ALL THAT HE WAS AND WHAT HE MEANT TO OUR FAMILY. BUTCH WILL BE MISSED BY HIS FAMILY. LOVING SKIP (paul), JANE ANN, DEBORAH, PETER, PHILIP AND OUR FAMILY

Cindy, Ryan, and Jamie,
Linda and I were sorry to hear about Ralph's demise. We know how much you will miss him. We are praying for you, and know that you each will continue to live your lives as you know he would have wanted you to.

I am so sorry to hear of Ralph's passing. Several years ago I was a rookie umpire at Canal LL and Ralph was a coach. Ralph was always encouraging others to be better and to work hard and he did the same. I remember a call I made which honestly was a horrible call. Ralph could have screamed and yelled but he didn't. He just said don't worry you'll get the next one right. Every time I saw him after that we would laugh about that call. Ralph had great impact on the Canal kids and staff even the ones not on his team. Rest in peace my friend.

My condolences to the Sassaman family. Mr. Sassaman was a great teacher. I had the absolute pleasure of being in his driver ed class at Glasgow High School. To this day I still can hear him telling me to quit using my rear view mirror instead of my outer mirrors for safety. He had wonderful patience for us kids.
Your family will be in my prayers.

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. Sassaman. Although I wasn't a student of his, I remember him fondly. I went to Glasgow from 2001-2005 and saw him often in the halls and at so many sports events, and I know that his loss will be felt by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

I was, however, a student of Mrs. Sassaman during third grade at Leasure Elementary in 1995 and she was one of the kindest, best teachers I've ever had. Mrs. Sassaman, I'm so sorry and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope that you're all able to find peace in your memories and draw strength from one another during this trying time. May peace be with you and yours.

My prayers are with the Sassaman family. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss! Mr. Sassaman was my drivers ed teacher at Glasgow and he was absolutely wonderful! We had plenty of laughs in class and on the road. May he rest in peace...

Mr. Sassaman was one of my favorite teachers at Newark High. My condolences to his family.

As fellow teachers at Newark High we will always remember Ralph's willingness to help others, his positive attitude and his smiling face in the halls. He was especially dear to our two sons who played football at NHS! He was a lovely man!

Ralph was a super coach and person. He definitely found his calling. Job well done coach-rest in peace.

My condolences to the family. Mr. Sassaman was my 9th grade history teacher, one I always respected and remembered. Shirley Lockhart-Slipetsky, NHS Class of 76.

I am very sorry to hear of Ralph Sassaman's passing.. We taught together at Newark High School, and I remember him and his wife, Cindy were so much fun.. very concerned about the community, education, and great friendships. Rest in peace my friend, and know that you touched the lives of many.. Rosemarie Suchanec (John) Grizzard

Cindy, Jamie & Ryan, Kevin & I were so sorry to hear about Ralph! We will keep all of you in our thoughts & prayers.

Condolences to The Sassaman Family, He was definitely 1 of my favorite teachers. He was always there when I needed alittle extra guidance. After graduating NHS,getting married and moving on, I put my son in Little League at Canal Little League.He was he coach and guess what he recognized me by name after all thos years and kids he mentors I was surprised he remembered ME! He was a great coach and a great teacher and am sure A LOVING husband and father!! GOD BLESS and take strength in knowing he will be missed by ALL he touched.

THANK YOU Ralph for everything you did for the Newark High School students, staff, and parents! I always enjoyed our many conversations.

Saddened to hear the news about Coach Sassaman and my prayers to his wife and family. At NHS, Ralph became my position coaah my senior year and he made me a better person than a player by just knowing him. When I came home from college or later in life he always had a smile and warm greeting. Thanks Coach, RIP.

My Condolences … He was a Great Teacher, Coach, and Person! NHS Class of 80

You were loved by so many and touched so many lives. A life well lived.

Ralph and I taught and coached at the same time at NHS. His room was across the hall from mine. We shared many experiences, stories and laughs. He was a tireless supporter of NHS. He will be sorely missed by colleagues, students, athletes and friends. My condolences to the family.

Ralph touched the life of both my children. He was a great example and a gentleman. The Lloyd family sends their condolences to his family. You are in our thoughts.

Ralph was widely respected as a veteran Educator and Coach when he arrived at Glasgow High. While we all knew he loved his yellow jackets, he became deeply involved in the Dragon sports and school life and has left a powerful legacy thru his kids. RIP Coach

For many years, Ralph and I taught together at NHS. Ralph always had a smile and pleasant greeting for teachers and students. I am so sorry for the loss of this great teacher and coach.

Very saddened to hear the news. My condolences to the family. Coach Sassaman is an unforgettable positive role model in my life. I appreciate our long conversations, his willingness to help and his ability back in HS to get me to see I needed to be "better". God bless Ralph Sassaman and his family. He was a great man because he made a difference in this world while he was here. David May Jr

He was s very gentle and honest soul. Being from the city I was treated cruel a lot for hanging with people who didn't look like me or live where we lived (projects) but he always provided me with a smile and encouraged me to stay true to myself. And I HAVE. Blessings to your family and friends Coach Sassaman

Our condolences go out to his wife & family, of which me & my brother have known his wife since we've seen her teaching at leasure school for the Christina School district & Hope her and the family are doing ok in this awful time.

The Baynum household.

From the NHS Class of '92

What a great man and teacher. he is one that has stuck with me since I graduated from Newark in "78. What a heart this man had!

Ralph was a great person, teacher, coach, and family man. We met many years ago when we were young teachers starting out at Newark High School. He will be missed by so many people.

Ralph was a great teacher, coach, and person. We met many years ago as young teachers starting out at Newark High School. He cared for those around him and will be missed by so many people.

So sorry to hear of the news. Mr. Sassaman you will be deeply missed by many. I recently told my high school kids a story about Mr. Sassaman being a teacher that had the greatest influence on me during High School. He taught me many life lessons.....
You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

God Bless,

Scott Williams

Our deepest sympathies......from two former students who thought Mr. Sassaman was a wonderful teacher and coach. We are so sorry for your loss. We know he will be dearly missed.....David Schaen and Heather Ballard Schaen

coach sassaman, I consider it an honor to have known you and your wife all these years I always appreciated your love for classic cars especially your cougar. You will be missed.

Cindy, my deepest sympathy to you, Jaimie & Ryan (Bubba). I have the fondest memories of Ralph during our Canal softball days. Cindy, please take comfort from your family and friends at this time.

For Ralph's Family you are in our prayers and please accept our heart felt condolences for your loss. God bless you and keep you, he has Ralph in his arms.

This picture is the way I remember Mr Sassaman as my "Drivers Ed" teacher, 40 years ago at Newark High School. A beautiful smile, a kind word, and always encouraging the sports teams. God puts us in places for a reason. Mr Sassaman your works did not go unnoticed. God Bless the Family! Gwendolyn Lane, CLASS of 1975

Condolences to the family. My memory of Ralph will always be as a great teacher and coach, and a true gentleman. The day Mr. Sassaman told me, "Call me Ralph, we're both college grads" was very meaningful and still remembered after 25 years.

Mr.Sassaman you were a great asset to NHS and to our Sports teams. RIP!

R.I.P. Coach and thank you for all the memories from NHS Class or 84'

Cindy and family we are so sorry to hear of Ralph's passing. He was a great person and we enjoyed his company when living in Garwood. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and the days to come.

Condolences to the Ralph Sassaman family. Ralph was my tenth grade history teacher as well as a football coach. I had the great pleasure of coaching with him at Newark for four years. His teaching greatly influenced my coaching. I loved speaking to him at the Alumni get gatherings. He will be missed. There were many saying or code words that he used. "Riverside" when we needed to run a play the other way. When a kid would be running and trip or fall down. He always would say "Sniper got him". "M and M" Man to man coverage ....The Green Cougar. See you coach.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

sorry for your loss, I always enjoyed talking to Ralph at numerous sporting events, he was a great family man that was very proud of his children
Mark Santobianco

To a man who stood up for many...thank you Coach...thank you!

I am so sorry that Ralph has passed away. I team taught with him at NHS for several years. His suffering has ended. He is at peace now.

So sorry for your loss, I always enjoyed talking to Ralph at numerous sporting events. He was a great family man who was very proud of his kids.

I want to send my sincere condolences to the family of Ralph. Cindy, Jamie and Ryan. My thoughts are with you guys through this sorrowful time.

Dear Jamie and Family,
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.

We'll miss ya Coach! Prayers to your friends and family. NHS Yellowjackets 1994

Cindy, Jamie and Ryan (Bubba),

I can't tell you how much Ralph meant to me. He and I made the transition beyond player and coach. His influence on my life is immeasurable.

We are sending our thoughts and prayers from Florida.

You will be missed Coach. Thank you for making an impact on my life. Gods speed to the Sassaman family. You are in my thoughts and prayer....See you on the other side Coach. Heaven got them a great man!

Cindy, Jamie & Bubba - we were so sorry to hear about Ralph's passing. We will keep all of you in our thoughts & prayers. He was a great coach to many kids over the years!

Cindy, Jamie, and Ryan,I know that you were all there with him on every step of his journey. May memories of happy times together help ease your grief.