MCC Daily Tribune

Professor Emeritus of Geosciences Thomas X. Grasso

Our hearts are with the family and friends who mourn the loss of Professor Emeritus of Geosciences Thomas X. Grasso who died on June 6 after a brave battle against ampullary cancer. A celebration of his life will be scheduled in the near future.

According to his obituary, Professor Emeritus Grasso is survived by his wife Carola, brother Larry Grasso, sister Johanna Swarcz, sister-in-law Marion (Horst) Wagner, son Thomas Jr., (Kim), daughter Julianne (Michael) Robinson, step daughters Bianka Smith, Alexa Smith, six grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. His wife Carola shared with MCC colleagues that, “We find peace in the fact that he inspired and was loved by so many.”

Professor Emeritus Grasso earned a bachelor of arts degree in geology and geography from the University at Buffalo and a master of arts degree in paleontology and stratigraphy from Cornell University. According to his obituary, he “worked at Chevron Oil in New Orleans, Louisiana before accepting a position to join the faculty at Monroe Community College, where he initiated the Geoscience Department and remained its chair for nearly 30 years.” He taught and contributed to the success of the College between 1968 and 1999.

According to Professor of Geography Michael Boester, Professor Emeritus Grasso “is a legend at MCC and we stand on his shoulders when we teach in our outstanding laboratory facilities. … “[He] was first-class in every way.”

Dean of STEM and Health Margaret Kaminsky says, Professor Emeritus Grasso was an “internationally-renowned expert on canals in general and the Erie Canal, in particular.” His website, Erie Canal Consulting, provides even more insight into Professor Emeritus Grasso’s expertise and remarkable career. He served as president of the Canal Society of New York State from 1979 to 2016 and as its president emeritus until his passing. He served as co-chair of the World Canals Conference in 2000 and as chair in 2010—both of which he brought to Rochester. According to his website he “led the Canal Society’s efforts to bring to fruition the Port Byron Old Erie Canal Heritage Park—a preservation and restoration project of late 19th century authentic Erie Canal structures and buildings with unique and direct access from an interstate highway (NYS Thruway) and a local road (NY 31).”

We are grateful for the many ways Professor Emeritus inspired his students and colleagues and was a proven leader within our community and beyond. More information about his MCC career and celebration of life will be added to this article when details become available.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made in Professor Emeritus Grasso’s honor to the Canal Society of NYS, 7308 Jamesville Road, Manlius, NY 13104, or Wilmot Cancer Institute Development Office, 300 East River Road, P.O. Box 278996, Rochester, NY 14627.

DeAnna Burt-Nanna
Office of the President
06/13/2022