To our campus community:
It is with sadness we report the passing of John Charles Almasi, a kind, problem-solving staffer in the Registrar’s Office for more than a decade whose personal and family ties to Florida Tech deepened his connections across campus. He passed away Oct. 1 at age 73.
Mr. Almasi was hired at Florida Tech in 2004 by the purchasing department. Four years later, he began his work in the registrar’s office and would remain there until he departed Florida Tech in April 2021. Over that time, he also earned a Florida Tech master’s degree in technical and professional communication and served as a popular adjunct professor in the School of Arts and Communication.
“As a member of the registrar’s office he worked wonders with scheduling and was always able to solve problems we brought to him,” remembered Heidi Hatfield Edwards, associate dean in the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts and professor and head, School of Arts and Communication. “As a student, he contributed to the rich discussions in our graduate classes, was generous with his time and always curious – a true lifelong learner. He also taught for us as an adjunct and was uniquely able to capture students’ attention and keep them engaged.”
Earlier in his career, Mr. Almasi was a team leader/procedure writer for close to 20 years at Rockwell Collins in Melbourne.
History professor Gordon Patterson, in a note to faculty about his friend and colleague’s passing, said the Almasi family had – and has – deep connections to Florida Tech. Mr. Almasi’s wife, Karin, is the university’s associate registrar, and his son, James, is director of financial aid. Both James and another son, John Jr., are proud graduates of Florida Tech.
“Individuals like John and his family, who have dedicated their lives to the university, are what make this institution a special place,” Patterson said.
Mr. Almasi was skilled in the lapidary arts, a hobby which led him to projects as far afield as Tanzania, and he was an active member in the Canaveral Mineral and Gem Society, where he served as past president.
Mark Harvey, associate professor in the School of Behavior Analysis, remembered Mr. Almasi’s facility with stones and gems – and his kindness.
“John was a true humanitarian who took the time to share his knowledge and kindness with everyone he met. He taught me and my family about rocks, gem tumbling, and his remarkable work in fair-trade diamonds – it was always fascinating to hear his stories,” Harvey said. “I will deeply miss his warm smile and gentle spirit.”
Chemical engineering professor Manolis Tomadakis said Mr. Almasi’s commitment to students and faculty was evident in all he did.
“John’s dedication to serving our students and all of us in our school community was second to none,” Tomadakis said. “He always worked hard to offer the best solution even to the most challenging problems, always with his contagious smile, a good word, and the most positive and friendly attitude.”
Mr. Almasi will be dearly missed by his surviving family, including his mother Jessie; his wife Karin; two sons John (wife – Misty) and James (partner – Kerianne); four grandchildren (Sophie, Freya, Aryn and Trystan); three step-grandchildren (Matthew, Morgan and Micah); two great-grandchildren (Amelia and Perceval); two surviving sisters JoAnn (husband – Eric) and Dr. Janice Almasi, along with many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. John is also survived by brother-in-law Dr. Tim Downing married to his sister Judy who preceded John in death. John was also preceded in death by his father John Almasi.
