Deacon Richard J. Basso, age 88, died on March 18th.

A visitation service is scheduled for 3/20 from 5 to 7 PM and a Funeral Mass on 3/21 at 11:00 AM. Both services will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Cocoa, Florida.

Mr. Peppers was born on May 31, 1929, in Central Islip New York. He is pre-deceased by his wife of 65 years, Margaret Fazio. He is survived by his brother John Basso and his children Kathryn Campbell, Emma Terrell, Barbara Kemmler, Richard Basso, Robert Basso, Anne Madore, Patricia Macdonald, Rose Dubois, and Mary “Eli” Chamberlain; and he is survived by 22 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

While living in Central Islip he began his career as a mason contractor and was an avid volunteer fireman. In 1957 he moved his family to DeLand, Florida where he continued his career as a mason. Many people in Deland are warmed at the hearth of a fireplace he built. He was a devout Catholic and a member of Saint Peters Catholic Church where he was engaged in prison ministry and the Cursillo movement. De Colores!!