John Charles "Chuck" Sasala

John Charles “Chuck” Sasala, 72 of Erie died on Monday May 22, 2023 peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family following a courageous battle with cancer.

Chuck was born on June 15, 1950, in Erie, a son of the late Andrew and Marjorie E. (Williams) Sasala.

He graduated from Girard’s Rice Avenue Union High School in 1968 where he lettered in Football, Basketball, and Baseball often teasing that his dedication to sports was a preferred alternative to working on the family farm. Following high school, he furthered his education at Edinboro State College, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing and was a Brother of the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. He went on to receive a Master’s degree from Ohio University in Audiology and Speech Science. Chuck used to joke that when applying to the masters program his interviewer was a Sig Tau brother and Dean of the Audiology School. Chuck said when he was asked what program he wanted to study he blurted out “Audiology” fearing he wouldn’t be granted admission if he said anything else only later asking himself, “Audiology? Why did I say that?”

He began employment at Polk State School and Hospital and later Hamot Medical Center, McMaster University Medial Center, and Chedoke Hospitals in Hamilton, Ontario where he was Director of Audiology for ten years. He then worked at Biologic Systems Corporation in Mundelein, IL as a neurological medical equipment salesperson, regional sales manager and national sales manager. Chuck finally ventured west to Santa Barbara, CA and into private practice bringing his career to a close as owner of Hearing Aid Systems of Santa Barbara.

He was a member of St. Athanasius Orthodox Church in Santa Barbara, California and Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Crossingville. Chuck was in the Diaconate Program with the Byzantine Catholic Church. He participated as cantor in Byzantine Catholic Churches throughout western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Chuck loved riding his Harley Heritage Softail Classic and put many miles on it riding with his treasured Cigarlee’s Riding Club. Chuck enjoyed traveling and visited several countries as well as made a special journey with family to Jakubany, Slovakia to visit his ancestral home. Chuck was a master at preparing traditional delicious Easter Slovak food leaving flour covering all corners of the kitchen and sometimes adjacent rooms. He was an avid reader and wartime history lover. He continued playing several sports from racketball, softball, lifting, and sailing. Much to the dismay of his family, he was a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan. Chuck loved music and was known for his band during his high school days where he played keyboard and drums and continued singing throughout his life whether it was in church, to his children, or simply around the house. He had a great love of the stage stemming from an early introduction to his cousin, John Kenley’s, theatre in Ohio and continued as a patron of the arts throughout his life. Above all, Chuck thrived spending time with his dearest family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Dennis Orr and step-grandson, Daniel Daley.

Left to cherish his memory are VSO and loving friend of his family Carol; a daughter, Alexis Sasala Daley and her husband TJ of Chapin, SC; two sons, Andrew J. Sasala of Tempe, AZ and Austin V. Sasala of Burlington, WI; stepdaughters Jill Dani of Algonquin, IL and Katie Johnson of Buffalo, NY; two sisters, Kathryn Orr of Girard, and Mary D’Errico and her husband Ed of Milford, OH; grandchildren, Savannah Marie Sasala, Wyatt Henry Sasala and step-granddaughter, Lizzie Daley and several nieces and nephews as well as countless beloved cousins.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society’s Joseph and Jeannette Silber Hope Lodge 11432 Mayfield Rd. Cleveland, OH 44106.

Friends may call on Thursday May 25, 2023 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Edder Funeral Home Inc, 309 Main St. E. Girard. A Panachida Service will begin there at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at Saints Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, 25636 North Mosiertown Road, Edinboro, the following day, Friday at 11:00 a.m., officiated by Father Daniel Mathewson. Burial will immediately follow in St. Johns Cemetery. To send condolences visit edderfuneralhome.com

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