Rich was born December 1, 1946, to the late Carlo and Evelyn (Toro) Grassetti. He was raised in Springfield, Massachusetts before moving to Monson, MA in 1957 and he graduated from Monson Academy. His love of baseball was a major focus during this time playing Triple-A ball, and he was actively pursued by a Boston Red Sox scout.
After graduating from the academy, he served in the US Air Force and also with the Air Force Reserves. He completed his undergraduate studies at Westfield State University and obtained a master’s degree in forestry from the University of Idaho.
Rich originally settled in Monson, Massachusetts with his wife Pamela; however, his education allowed for a career with the United States Forest Service. He and his family traveled west in 1995 ultimately relocating to Idaho and Washington and then back east to residing in West Virginia, and later Upstate New York. He retired from the Forest Service in 2017 but engaged in periodic extended travel throughout the United States, predominately to Idaho and Oregon, to strategically avoid Upstate NY winters.
His love of baseball never subsided and he was a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox. He also had a fondness for animals and periodically spent time caring for different dogs after he retired. He was very close with his St. Bernard, Bella, who passed in 2019.
Rich will be deeply missed by his wife of 41 years Pamela (Chmura) Grassetti, daughters Abigail and Audra, son Ben, his surviving siblings and their partners and children, and many dear friends.
Memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 16th at 10am at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, Skaneateles. With a reception to follow.
To send condolences, visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.