Frankfort - Mr. August T. Tassa, 94, of 230 First Ave. passed away peacefully Friday, December 30, 2011 in St. Luke's Memorial Hospital. He was born in Herkimer on July 9, 1917, the son of the late John and Paolina Bernardi Tassa. Augie attended Herkimer schools and Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, while he was in the service. Augie served with the US Army during World War II and was Honorably Discharged on May 6, 1946. He was married to Mayme Vaniglia on September 1, 1940 in Little Falls. His beloved Mayme passed away on September 11, 2008. Augie was spared fighting on the front lines because he became the personal barber of a captain who later recommended that Augie be trained at Washington and Lee University as an athletic coach. He was later named the athletic coach of his army base. Augie was a well-known barber in the Mohawk Valley who began his career on October 1, 1937. He was the owner and operator of Tassa's Barber Shop, 149 E. Main St., Frankfort for over 65 years. He was a member of New Life Church in Herkimer, The Frankfort American Legion Post #845, The Addolorata Society, St. Francis Di Paolo Society and the Ilion Elks BPOE Lodge #1444. Augie served as a Frankfort Town Councilman for 20 years from 1964 to 1984 and also as a Deputy Supervisor from 1980 to 1984. One of Augie's greatest acts of service throughout his life began with a request from his mother. Augie learned to cut hair at the age of 8, partially to help support his family in the mid 1920's. Young Augie was sent to cut the hair of a dying man who was quite poor. The family paid him a dime, a fair amount of money during the time. Although his family was struggling like so many others, his mother asked him to return the dime to the family. As a promise to his mother, Augie began a lifetime of service offering free haircuts to those hospitalized and in nursing homes. He continued that service well into his 80's. Augie possessed a great love of beauty. Building a greenhouse in his backyard, he raised flowers from seed, especially geraniums and even rare orchids for many years. He annually decorated the Frankfort Town Hall with his beautiful red geraniums. Augie's passion for anything Italian, politics, the New York Yankees and the Town of Frankfort would only be eclipsed by his love for his family and God. He often said that in the home of a Christian family, the Bible never needs dusting. Augie Tassa has been a rock on which to depend for several generations of families and will forever be loved and missed by so many. Augie is survived by one son and daughter in law, John and Bonnie Tassa of Southport, NC; two daughters and sons in law, Linda Tassa and Joseph Cerroni of Baldwinsville and Sue and Terry Seaver of Harrisburg, PA; one brother, Chester Scerra of Richfield Springs; his brother in law, Rosario Bonfardice of Frankfort; six grandchildren, Jennifer and her husband, Navin Bhojwani of Charlotte, NC, John Tassa and his wife, Kellodie of Garner, NC, Marcus Cerroni of Baldwinsville, Sarah Cerroni of Baldwinsville, Jared Seaver of Harrisburg, PA and Joshua Seaver of Harrisburg, PA; three great-grandchildren, Jack Bhojwani, Kira Bhojwani and Ella Bhojwani and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, Sal Scerra and two sisters, Theresa Bifora and Clara Bonfardice. His funeral will be held Wednesday morning at 9:15 from the V.J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc., 203 Second Ave., Frankfort and at 10:00 in New Life Church, Protection Ave, Herkimer with the Rev. Thomas Pileggi, officiating. Interment will be in Oak View Cemetery. Calling hours will be Tuesday 4-8 at the V.J.Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc. Members of the American Legion will meet Tuesday at 6:00 pm at the funeral home for services. Contributions in Augie's memory may be made to the August Tassa Playground Fund at Lehman Park c/o Village of Frankfort 110 Railroad St, Suite 1, Frankfort, NY 13340 or Salvation Army 429 N. Prospect St., Herkimer, NY 13350. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Augie's online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com