Longtime Blackhawks writer Tim Sassone dies
It is with deep regret and sadness that we share the news that one of our longtime colleagues, Tim Sassone, passed away this morning after an extended illness. Tim was a fighter to the very end. He battled back from a stroke in 2012 to resume his full-time duties later that year after a remarkable recovery before being hospitalized on Monday. Tim leaves behind his wife, Christine, and their two children, Ali and Andy. Tim was 58.
“The hockey world mourns a legend who knew, explained and critiqued the sport better than anyone,” said John Lampinen, Daily Herald senior vice president/editor. “The Daily Herald mourns a friend and colleague who quietly inspired an entire newsroom with his skill, grace and selfless dedication. Tim was a giant, and we will miss him.”
Tim joined the Daily Herald in 1984 and worked on the Sports Copy Desk before starting the Blackhawks beat in 1988. He was a finalist in this year's Peter Lisagor contest for sports writing, and is a previous Lisagor winner. He was a Top 10 national finalist for game reporting in the APSE 2010 contest, and a key contributor in the sports section winning national honors from APSE seven times throughout his career. In 2007 he was nominated as a media finalist for Hockey Hall of Fame Award, and he was inducted into the Northern Star Hall of Fame in 2013. Last season, the Chicago Blackhawks honored him at a game by presenting him with a No. 25 jersey for his 25 years of covering the team.