Obituary of John Allen Wassell

John Allen Wassell, 77, of Punta Gorda, FL, passed away on Friday, April 3, 2015. He was born August 15, 1937, in Washington, DC, and grew up and worked in Montgomery County, Maryland, before moving to Punta Gorda in 1997. John had a long and distinguished career of helping others through federal and state service. A military brat, service in the USMC Reserve, and firefighting outline his younger years. He was a long time employee of the Federal Government in the Department of Health and Human Services in the Office of Emergency Preparedness and at the National Institutes of Health in the Division of Research Grants. After moving to Punta Gorda in 1997 he worked several years for the Florida Department of Health and the Division of Emergency Management. This service was followed by employment with FEMA during the recovery efforts of Hurricane Charlie and sister hurricanes of 2004-2005. During his career of service he responded to numerous humanitarian relief efforts in the US and its territories while receiving countless awards for outstanding leadership and achievements. In Punta Gorda, he served as a Guardian Ad Litem and a Juvenile Court Arbitrator and in Montgomery County, he was Chairman of the Ethics Panel for the School Board and spent many years coaching youth sports. John is survived by his loving family including his wife, Barbara (Coffren) Wassell; children David Wassell, Timothy Wassell, Daryl Wassell, Kevin Wassell, David Garrigus, Mark Garrigus, Michelle Crisafulli, and Brian Garrigus; 29 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son John Michael Wassell, his mother Mary Lee Wassell (Chesnut), his father, Brigadier General Ralph Wassell, and his father's wife, IIse. John was a true provider, giver, and guardian who will be greatly missed and forever loved by his family and friends. A family memorial will be held at a later date. Arrangements are provided by Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens.