It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of former IBRO President John Grasso, who passed away on October 3, 2024. His contributions to the field have left an indelible mark, and he will be remembered fondly by those who knew and respected his work.
John Grasso
June 6, 1943 – October 3, 2024
John Grasso, age 81, of Guilford, New York, passed away on Thursday, October 3, 2024. He was born on June 6, 1943, in New York City, NY, to John C. and Pauline (Kinsch) Grasso.
John had a passion for watching sports and authored several books on the subject. A co-founder of the International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO), John served as its first president from 1982 to 1987.
In John’s inaugural newsletter, dated May 2, 1982, he enthusiastically introduced IBRO’s mission to foster a vibrant community of boxing research enthusiasts. His aim was to develop a platform that encouraged the exchange of ideas, coordinated research efforts, and fostered connections among individuals passionate about the sport. John pointed out that, although boxing captivated audiences worldwide at both amateur and professional levels, there was a significant gap in accurate historical documentation.
His goal was to bridge the gap by diligently collecting, organizing, and sharing accurate information about boxing. He was eager to start research activities led by dedicated researchers, using local resources to ensure the accuracy of historical records. Thanks to his efforts, John’s vision for IBRO continues to thrive forty-four years later.
John wrote four books in the Historical Dictionaries of Sports series: “Historical Dictionary of Boxing,” “Historical Dictionary of Tennis,” “Historical Dictionary of Basketball,” and “Historical Dictionary of Football.” He co-authored “The 100 Greatest Boxers of All Time” and “505 Boxing Questions Your Friends Can’t Answer.” Additionally, he wrote columns for Ring Magazine and Boxing Illustrated. He was also the treasurer of the International Society of Olympic Historians (ISOH). The ISOH’s charter aims to promote and study the Olympic Movement and Games. It achieves this through historical research, data collection, publication of findings, and member collaboration.
John is survived by his wife, Dorothy Cwihun Grasso; one son, Steven P. Grasso of Berkshire, NY; and a granddaughter, Dr. Trinity Grasso, along with her partner, Brandon Smith. He is also survived by a daughter, Laurel A. Zeisler, and her husband, Rob, of Schenevus, NY; as well as grandchildren James C. Hernandez and his wife, Corey; Lindsey M. Zeisler; and Danny A. Zeisler. Additionally, he has a great-grandchild, Aubrey Mae.
John worked for Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals, Procter & Gamble, Smith Ford, and, finally, Mathews Ford in Norwich, NY.