Vincent Anthony Sassi was born March 5, 1951 in Nuremberg, Germany to Anthony and Alouise Sassi. As the son of a World War II, Pearl Harbor survivor, he had the opportunity to grow up in many countries around the world. This fostered a love of travel, which he did extensively.
Because his dad was stationed at Fort Hood, and retired here, Vincent attended Nolan Junior High and graduated in 1969 from Killeen High School where he was a trumpet player in the Roo Band. He attended the University of Houston and the University of Hawaii. He also became a Longhorn when he attended, and graduated from, the University of Texas at Austin where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree. While earning his Master’s Degree, he studied under Dr. Linda Schele. She played an invaluable role in the decipherment of much of the Mayan heiroglyphics, and Vincent learned to read this ancient form of communication through his studies with her.
Vincent worked as a supervisor for the Texas Workforce Commission. His work involved some traveling throughout the state, and he also presented at various seminars. After many years, he retired in 2011.
He loved history and archaeology, and his travels took him to Peru, Guatemala, Belize, and quite a few other countries in Central and South America. He also loved weekend getaways in his Corvette. He had a special place in his heart for his two cats, Callie and April.
Vincent was much loved by his family. They enjoyed hearing stories about the adventures that he had when he traveled. His sister and nieces accompanied him on some of his trips. He was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by sister Sabina Paulson of Killeen, brother Raffaele Sassi of Salado, nieces Samantha Kickler of Virginia and Amanda Johnson of Killeen, nephews Anthony Sassi of Nevada and Mark Sassi of Washington, great-nieces Ashlynn Johnson and Madyson Johnson, and great-nephew Luke Kickler.
Vincent passed away peacefully at his home on July 20, 2018. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Killeen in memory of Vincent.
