Obituary of Carl LaGrassa

Carl LaGrassa, 80, of Far Hills, NJ, passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2009, peacefully at Home with his family by his side. Born: October 25, 1928, in East Harlem, NY. Personal: He resided in Far Hills for four years, prior to that, he lived in Oldwick, NJ and NY,NY. He was a son of the late Gaspare & Ursula LaGrassa. Carl was the Founder and CEO of Automated Securities Clearance Ltd. (ASC). ASC provided back office accounting systems to brokerage Companies. In 1989, ASC developed an online trading system for NASDAQ traders called BRASS. The BRASS system became the standard for the industries and at the time of its sale, over 70% of trades were processed through this system. After selling ASC, he and his wife Gloria built the Pluckemin Inn in Bedminster to pursue his long standing love of food and passion for fine wine. The "Inn" is considered one of the finest restaurants in New Jersey. Carl was a Philanthropist, he was known for his caring and generosity. His favorite charities are those which helped children. Carl was a collector of fine wine. Memberships: Carl was a member of St. Brigid Catholic Church, Peapack, NJ Survivors: His loving wife of 35 years Gloria; his caring children, a daughter Carla L. LaGrassa of NY, NY.; a son Carl and his wife Mary Ann of Rumson, NJ. two grandchildren Carl and Cade; a sister Anita Pollack and her husband Jason of Long Island, NY.; a niece Andrea. Services: Visitation Will be Friday, January 30, 2009, from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bailey Funeral Home, 176 Main Street, Peapack, New Jersey 07977. Funeral services will be Saturday, January 31, at 10:30 a.m., Mass of Christian burial with the Most Reverend Paul G. Bootoski, Bishop of Metuchen officiating, at St. Brigid 129 Main Street, Peapack, NJ 07977. Intombment will be at the Resurrection Cemetery, Piscataway, NJ. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Warren Hills Memorial Home, 234 W. Washington Avenue, Washington, NJ 07882, and The Bailey Funeral Home, 176 Main Street, Peapack, New Jersey 07977. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Association for Frontotemporal Dementias, 1616 Walnut Street, Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19103.