Harold “Buddy” Rassas, 101, of Long Branch passed away peacefully Thursday, April 10^th at home.

Buddy was a second-generation lifelong resident of Long Branch. He graduated from Long Branch High School, North Carolina State University with a BS in Industrial Engineering and attained his MBA from Monmouth University. Buddy served his country honorably in the US Army during WWII spending 18 months in Europe.  He was an engineer for thirty-three years with the US Government, Fort Monmouth Electronics Command.

Buddy was a former commissioner for the Long Branch Housing Authority 1968-1973 and a charter member of the Long Branch High School Athletic Hall of Fame 1982-2004.  He was an involved member of Congregation Brothers of Israel serving as Past President of the Men’s Club, a member of the Board of Directors, Past Chairman of the Cemetery Committee, Past Treasurer, Past Financial Secretary and the Men’s Club Man of the Year in 1967.

Buddy was a member of the Jewish War Veterans, a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the Alumni Association for North Carolina State University and Monmouth University and a Wolfpack Club Member at North Carolina State University.   He was a past volunteer Court Mediator for the Municipal Court in Long Branch, Bradley Beach and Neptune and for the Small Claims Division of the State Superior Court-Monmouth County.

Buddy was the author of “The Rassas Family” – A Narrative. He also was a Certified Master Gardener-Rutgers University Extension contributing his garden grown vegetables to Long Branch Food Pantries 2002-present. He was a winner of 23 Blue Ribbons for Vegetables, Flowers and Canned Jellies at the Monmouth County Fair, Freehold.

Buddy was a dedicated fan of the New York Yankees, North Carolina State Wolfpack and the Long Branch Green Wave Athletics.

Buddy was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Beverly in 2016.  Surviving are his children Ellen Cohn, Richard Rassas & his wife Jill and Glen Rassas; his grandchildren Abby (Jon) Weinberg, Hailey (Edward) Bastelli and Jacob (Anna) Rassas; and his great grandchildren Micah & Leo Bastelli and James & Allison Rassas.

Funeral Service will be Friday, April 11th, 11:00 am at the Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell Street, Long Branch.  Burial to follow in Brothers of Israel Cemetery, West Long Branch.

Shiva will be observed following the burial at the Rassas residence in Long Branch.