Edward L. Basista

BOARDMAN - Edward L. Basista, 91, passed away Saturday morning, July 2, 2016, at Select Specialty Hospital in Youngstown, following a long and fulfilling life.

Edward was born Sept. 21, 1924, in Campbell, a son of the late Martin and Mary Zetts Basista, and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 1943 graduate of Campbell Memorial High School, where he played varsity football, and was a U.S. Navy decorated veteran, proudly serving aboard the USS North Carolina Battleship during World War II. He was honorably discharged in February of 1946, as a fire controlman (FC), 3rd class, and earned 13 Battle Stars aboard ship.

Ed worked for over 20 years on the assembly line and in final repair at the General Motors Lordstown Plant, retiring in 1989. 

Mr. Basista was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Holy Name of Jesus Church in Youngstown. He enjoyed reading, traveling the eastern United States, and sharing his time and stories with his family and friends, often recollecting his Naval adventures and his fond memories of his football days as a Campbell Memorial Red Devil.

His wife of 64 years, Marie R. Krusel Basista, whom he married Aug. 16, 1947, passed away Feb. 12, 2012. A daughter, Diane Marie Basista, passed away Dec. 8, 2008. 

Ed leaves two sons, Dr. Robert (Michele) Basista of Canton and Edward A. (Deborah) Basista of Cincinnati; five grandchildren, Robert Joseph Basista, Amanda (Robert) Back, Suzanne (Nick) Frank, Kathleen Basista, and Sandra (Adam) Schlosser; five great-grandchildren, Rachel, Riley, Liam, Parker, and Norah; and two brothers, Martin (Theresa) Basista of Lowellville and William (Sally) Basista of Austintown.

Besides his wife and daughter, two brothers, Stephen and Emil Basista, and two sisters, Marie Olexa and Clara Basista, are deceased.

Family and friends may call from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 9, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown.

Funeral services will begin on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home, and continue at 10 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 613 N. Lakeview Ave. in Youngstown.

Entombment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Austintown, where Ed will be laid to rest next to his daughter and wife.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Basista’s name to Friends of Battleship North Carolina, Generations Campaign, P.O. Box 480, Wilmington, N.C. 28402.