Frank Dasso

Published in the Wenatchee World from 6/13/2009 - 6/16/2009

Frank Dasso was born in Chicago, IL on August 31, 1917, to Joseph Steven Dasso and Mary (Schaefin) Dasso. He died June 8, 2009, in Seattle, WA.

At the age of six, he was sent to a Catholic boys orphanage. While there, a nun, Mary Rouck, took Frank under her wing and got him interested in throwing and catching baseballs.

When he was 14, he attended Lane Tech School in Chicago, where he was starting pitcher. He never lost a game in his four years. One day after graduating in 1936, he was signed by the Boston Red Sox. When he arrived in Boston, he roomed with Ted Williams, both rookies.

In 1939, he married Ethel Gretz in Chicago. He was traded several times during his 20 years in baseball. He played for the Cincinnati Reds and in the Coast League for the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Seals, Hollywood Stars and the Sacramento Solons. In 1952, he came to Wenatchee as Coach and Manager for the Wenatchee Chiefs. Loving Wenatchee, the Dassos decided to stay here.

After baseball, Frank was an Allstate Insurance Agent and then Property Manager for the Washington Trust Bank. He retired when he was 85 years old.

He was a member of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association; Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame; Italian Athletes Hall of Fame in Chicago; he was a past President of the Three Lakes Golf Club; and was a member of the Sons of Italy.

He received regular requests for his signature and pictures by baseball fans. He always answered. He even received letters during his recent illness and those have been answered.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel in 1997; his parents; and sisters. He is survived by one daughter, Karen Johnson of Seattle; three sons, Gary (Margaret) Dasso of Lafayette, CA and Kent and Phillip Dasso, both of Wenatchee.

Memorial Services will be held at a later date.