Joseph P. Grasso, Sr, longtime Newtown resident and music teacher, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 9.

Joe was born on August 2, 1933, to Josephine (Attardo) and Samuel Grasso. He grew up in New Britain, where he attended New Britain High School. While there, he was a pitcher on both the high school and local American Legion baseball teams, as well as a clarinet and saxophone player in the high school band. In Joe’s senior year, he served as the student conductor for the band. He graduated from New Britain High in 1951.

Upon graduation, Joe attended Boston University as a music education major. He was a member of the marching band at BU, as well as the symphonic band, of which he was also the vice president his senior year. While at BU, Joe also had the honor of playing a concert with Louis Armstrong. Joe graduated from BU in 1955 and enlisted in the United States Army, where he served as a musician in Germany. After his service, Joe became the band director at Bethel High School, where he served from 1957 to 1959.

In 1960, Joe married Audrey Long, also of New Britain and a fellow graduate of the Boston University School of Music. Joe and Audrey moved to Newtown, and Joe took a job as a music teacher in the Newtown Public Schools that same year. At the time, there was no high school band program and Joe was the choir and band director for both the middle school and high school. He spent much of his energy developing the musical talents of middle school students, many of whom matured into accomplished musicians that started a long tradition of exemplary musical programs at Newtown High School. During this time, Joe received his Master’s in Music Education at Western Connecticut State College (now University) and became the director of music for the Newtown school system. Eventually, Joe was able to focus primarily on the high school band programs. At that time, he also conducted the Newtown Choral Society and the St Rose Church Choir.

Under Joe’s leadership, the Newtown High School band program was consistently regarded as one of the top programs in Connecticut. The band regularly participated in nationwide adjudications and performed in musical tours in Europe. Joe particularly enjoyed the European tours, as well as regular performances at school football games. He retired from teaching in 1992 and joined the Newtown Lions Club, serving as president for two years. He also conducted the choir at Heritage Village.

Joe was predeceased by Audrey, his wife of 56 years.

He will be sorely missed by his sister Marilyn; his brothers, Raymond and Ronald; his sons, Joseph Jr, Mark (Wendy), and Michael (Mary); and his daughter, Amy (Meghan). Joe is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Samuel, Olivia, Charlotte, James, and Margaret.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Rose Roman Catholic Church in Newtown on October 14, at 10:30 am. Interment will be private.

Spadaccino and Gallagher Funeral Home in Monroe will be handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Danbury Regional Hospice. Online condolences may be left at spadaccinofuneralhome.com.