Thomas C. Vassallo

Thomas C. Vassallo, 96, resident of Milford, NH died on July 28, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Buffalo, NY on October 7, 1917, a son of Frank T. and Frances (Pulvino) Vassallo. Thomas was raised and educated in Buffalo, NY. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Mr. Vassallo had studied mortgage banking at Northwestern University, commercial bank management at Columbia University and executive management at the State University of Buffalo. He joined the Manufacturers & Traders Trust Company in 1950 and after several promotions he was appointed head of M & T’s mortgage department and later was elected a senior vice president. He retired from the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System as a Chief Real Estate Investment Officer. Mr. Vassallo was active in many cultural and civic activities, having worked for the United Fund and Catholic Charities drives and the UB and Canisius College building fund drives. His many memberships included the Greater Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce, Cherry Hill Country Club, Buffalo Athletic Club, the Mortgage Bankers Association, Greater Buffalo Board of Realtors and the Niagara Frontier Builders Association. He was also a member of the faculty of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University and the National Mortgage School of Ohio State University. He was appointed a member of the Mortgage Advisory Committee of the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System, the National Mortgage Council of the American Bankers Association and the Investment Committee of the Niagara Frontier Housing Development Corp. In his spare time he very much enjoyed golfing and reading. Mr. Vassallo was a U.S. Army veteran having served during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1943. He was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Mary M. (Pech) Vassallo, who died on February 20, 2014 and their daughter, Lori F. Vassallo. Family members include a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas F. and Kemberley Vassallo of Amherst, NH; three grandchildren, Christopher Vassallo and his wife, Allison of San Diego, CA, Lorie Rucker, and T. Hayden Vassallo, both of Amherst; and a great granddaughter, Emeline Rucker of Amherst. There are no services. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Share Outreach, Inc., 1 Columbus Avenue, Milford, NH 03055. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com