Albert P. Grasso, 89, of Vernon, passed away on Monday, August 5.

He earned his B.S. from Newark College of Engineering and his master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Hartford. During his college years, Albert joined ROTC and, upon graduation, joined the Air Force. He was stationed in Texas and California and left the Air Force in 1959 as a Second Lieutenant.

In 1957, he married Amelia Castellano, his high school sweetheart, and love of his life, in Newark, New Jersey. They were together for 60 years until her death in 2017.

For most of his professional career, Albert worked as an engineer for various divisions of United Technologies. A recognized expert in the fields of fuel cells and water, he retired having been awarded more than 60 patents for his work and being designated as a UTC Fellow, an honor awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to their field. His work made him a contributor to the NASA Apollo program and Skylab.

Albert was a gentle, kind, strong yet determined man who loved his family fervently. He had a great passion for sailing and all machines that fly.

He is survived by his children, Michael A. Grasso of Henderson, Nev., and Kathleen M. Pratt and son-in-law Kevin Miles Pratt of Sandy Hook; one grandchild, Elizabeth X. Pratt of Issaquah, Wash.; and his sister, Patricia Allen of Wilmington, N.C.

The funeral was held on Sunday, August 11, at Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home in South Windsor. A burial with military honors took place at Wapping Cemetery in South Windsor.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the charity of their choice. For online condolences visit carmonfuneralhome.com.