Today on the 28th day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz (July 31, 2000) we remember the 15th year since the passing of our beloved father Abraham Albert Sasportas. Dad was born on April 30,1913 at 156 Orchard Street on the Lower East Side of New York City. He was the eldest child of David and Rose Sasportas. His mother tongue was the 500 year old language called Ladino - Spanish spoken by Sephardic Jews. Dad's middle name Albert is the Moroccan Jewish translation of Abraham. He moved to Hartford along with his parents and two brothers Max and Ben. Dad graduated from Hartford High School - the class of 1931. After graduation and before his enlisting into the army dad did house to house canvassing and sold in retail stores. Most of the time he was self employed and purchased merchandise from wholesalers. He specialized in home furnishings and electrical appliances. From 1936 to 1938 he was employed as salesman by the Interstate Home Equipment Corporation at Providence, Rhode Island. From 1940 to 1941 he worked as a solder on custom jewelry for Cohn and Rosenberger Co. Providence, Rhode Island. From 1941 to 1942 he worked as lineman and repairman on standard typewriters for the Underwood Elliot Fisher Company, Hartford, Connecticut.

Dad was a veteran of World War II achieving the rank of first Lieutenant. When he enlisted he was 29 years old and by occupation a salesman. Dad was inducted into the army on his birthday 1942. Until active duty he attended Officer Candidate Course at Camp Davis, North Carolina he also attended Anti Aircraft Artillery school 1943. His active service in the army was from April 15, 1943 to June 23, 1946 in Fort Bliss, Texas. In active service dad was in charge of a platoon of about 60 men going through basic training in a replacement training center. He lectured on military tactics and all other basic military subjects, including the use and maintenance of automatic anti-aircraft weapons. He also directed physical training of men, was responsible for some administrative matters including handling of large payrolls, and generally assisted inductees in their adjustments to military life. Dad lectured to classes of unit officers on the functioning, the operation, the care and maintenance of 50 caliber machine gun and 40 MM canons. As internment camp commander he was responsible for security, intelligence work and administration of German Prisoners of War Camps. He also directed P.W. labor. Dad was decorated with the American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

On December 18, 1949 dad married Pearl Einhorn. Dad became interested in building after building a house for his parents on Bina Road, Windsor along with his brother Ben. He then entered a course in the Home Contractor's Institute in Hartford, Connecticut in 1950. In order to learn more about carpentry and construction, although not experienced, he worked for no less than six construction companies during the year 1951. In 1952 dad established the S & S Construction Company which was later renamed Arnold Construction Company and then changed to A. A. Sasportas Builders Inc. He started building in West Hartford where he built 7 homes. In 1953 he began building in Bloomfield where he built most of his homes - 97 quality homes in 25 years. In 1954 he built our home on 5 Musket Trail. Dad was always on the job - we didn't see him much during the day. He had to be on the job to check out the various sub-contractors. He wanted to see the work himself. For example he would always check the carpenter laying down the floor to make sure enough nails were used so the floor would not squeak. Dad always checked the cement being used to make sure the proper amount of water was used. Too much water meant a weak cement. In 1957, he started building in East Granby where he built 33 quality homes. Construction of homes in Simsbury began in the 70's where he built 18 homes. He named streets after his three sons - Arnold Drive and Roberts Road in Bloomfield and Neal (David’s middle name) Drive in Simsbury.

Not only was dad a quality home builder, he practiced building ethics. In his building project on Foothills Way in 1966 there was a black family who wanted to buy a home on Partridge Drive. People feared the value of their homes would go down. There was an uproar in the neighborhood. There were threats on dad's life and his business could have been put in jeopardy. However, dad let his conscience guide him and he did what he thought was right. Despite the protest he sold the house to the black family. David and Edith Holmes and their beautiful family moved in and became ideal neighbors.

Abraham A. Sasportas will always be remembered for his 25 years of quality home building. An Al Sasportas built home is still to this day a sign of a fine quality built home. Dad was a 25 year member of the National Home Builders Association. He was also a member of the Lion's Club of Bloomfield.

Dad loved to sing and dance. He was very musical. He was a member of the Beth Hillel choir with mom and who can forget the evenings with dad and Marla Schwartz playing duet on the mandolin and of course dad and mom would clear a dance floor whenever they danced together. Dad and mom would travel to Banner Lodge frequently on weekends when we were smaller. They went on many cruises together.

Dad was a good father, husband and son. I remember on Father's day when I was young we convinced dad to take us to Boston to see a Red Sox game. It was his day but he made it our day. There was a contest on the radio to send in a replica of the " Yellow Submarine ". Dad didn't hesitate to go downstairs and with all his tools he made me a submarine. One thing dad taught me was " not to climb out of windows ". Clara and I will always remember the beautiful " wedding " dad prepared for us in Hartford in 1981. While Grandma Rose was in the West Hartford Manor convalescent home dad would always go and visit her. With three small children of his own, he accepted mom's wish to bring Larry and Dorothy to live in their home. A very special quality of Abraham A. Sasportas.

Dad loved Israel and at many family meals he would get up " on the soapbox " and defend Israel's position. To me Israel was a topic at the table and because dad made it so, it influenced my decision to make aliyah to Israel. He was proud to have two sons living in Israel. Dad had a dedication to Judaism and his Sephardic roots. He was secretary of the Sephardic Congregation of Greater Hartford a position his father also held before him.

When mom died in May, 1977, dad and I (Robert) lived together for two years. We got to know each other. I helped dad "up on the job" and our favorite day of the week was Shabbat. After finishing a traditional Shabbat dinner we would sing traditional songs "Zemirot" for a half hour straight. We would attend services together saying kaddish for mom.

In 1979, dad married Irma Shoag, a widower, and moved to West Hartford. Rabbi Avrutick, the rabbi who married dad and mom in 1949, also married dad and Irma 30 years later. He became involved in the Agudas Achim Synagogue, the Jewish Community Center and the organization APAI (American Parents for American Israelis). They made several trips to Israel and had wanted to buy an apartment in Netanya and settle there. They were married for six years.

Dad died on July 17, 1985 and was buried on July 18, 1985 on my daughter Lilach's first birthday. In a matter of months Clara miraculously became pregnant and on May 21, 1986 our son Alon Abraham Sasportas was born. Dad, we will never forget you. Let me close with dad's traditional words following the grace after meals. "May G-d give strength unto his people, may G-d bless his people with peace"

Your son, Robert

It was not easy for Al to write his personal thoughts in letters, however, when he did they were filled with emotion. Click here to read a few of those letters.

Al’s Sister, Welcome, writes:

Dear David & Iris: My brother Al was a few years my senior, and when we were kids he always looked out for me. We shared a close love and respect for each other throughout our lives. I always remember Al's ready smile, kind nature, and warm personality. He really enjoyed socializing and talking to people and his presence brought out the best in others because he was smart, honest , patient, and proud. He was a fine family man and really enjoyed life. Al had many talents and interests: his expertise in building beautiful homes, his sound parenting skills, his poise in social situations, his leadership abilities and concern for his community, and his love of dancing. He would practice his dancing steps with me and in time made me a good dancer. I admired Al and can still see his big beautiful smile and the special twinkle in his eyes. He was truly a fine man and I will always love him dearly and will always remember him, as a good part of my life.
Love Aunt Welcome & Uncle Tony

Jon Sasportas, son of Al’s brother Ben has this to say about Al:

I recently found some tape recordings that Uncle Al, uncle Max and dad (Ben) had made at the shore. As you all know dad, didn't have the voice the other two had but loved to sing with them. I'll never forget the singing, laughter and good times they all had at the shore. Uncle Al could make a good argument for the other side, "it didn't matter which", about any topic. I now understand the logic of the argument, as it made us look at both sides always. His mild manner and loving smile is always with us. Jon

Read what Larry Cohen remembers about Al.

If you have your own personal memories of our father please share them with us in the Memories of Abraham Sasportas Message Board or by sending an e-mail to Robert or David.

Click here to view notes from contented homeowners of quality built Al Sasportas homes.

As you may know Al was a member of the APAI (Association of Parents of American Israelis). The Second Annual Reunion Dinner was held at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem on October 31, 1985. It was dedicated in Al’s memory. Beautiful words were written in his memory and framed.

ABE SASPORTAS - HOW DOES ONE DESCRIBE THIS MAN?
NOT ONLY DID HE THINK AND FEEL - HE DID!!
HE WAS A MAN OF COMPASSION. HIS NEICES AND NEPHEWS, AT VARIOUS TIMES, SHARED HIS HOME, ALONG WITH HIS THREE SONS.
HE LOVED TO SING AND DANCE. HE TOOK EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE LIFE - AND ENJOY IT. HE TRAVELED TO MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD, BUT MOST OF ALL HE LOVED ISRAEL. HE WAS VERY WELL INFORMED AND WOULD DEBATE AND WRITE LETTERS TO THE NEWSPAPERS ON ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE. HE WAS A MAN OF INTEGRITY. IN HIS BUSINESS AS A HOME BUILDER HE HAD A REPUTATION FOR QUALITY. HE SERVED ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF MANY ORGANIZATIONS BOTH SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS, WHERE HE GAVE OF BOTH HIS ENERGY AND FINANCES. HE WAS CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE BLOOMFIELD, CONNECTICUT CAMPAIGN FOR THE HARTFORD JEWISH FEDERATION AND AN OFFICER OF THE CONN. CHAPTER OF A.P.A.I LAST YEAR HE ATTENDED THE A.P.A.I. CONVENTION IN JERUSALEM AND ENTERTAINED THE OLIM AT OUR FIRST ANNUAL REUNION. ABE IS WITH US IN SPIRIT AT THIS REUNION AS WELL.

Visit the Abraham Albert Sasportas Photo Gallery containing some wonderful images of Al.