"Mel" Bassi (November 14, 1926 – May 2, 2007) was an American lawyer, public official, and banker in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

[1][2] After graduation from high school, he joined the United States Navy and became a signalman during World War II.

[3] He played football alongside "Deacon" Dan Towler and Chuck Heberling, for a year before an injury forced him from the game.

"[2] In 1994, he was named Washington County Commissioner to fill the term of Frank Mascara, who was elected to United States House of Representatives, agreeing not to run for re-election.

[3] He had a fascination with the American Civil War, visiting historical sites in Tennessee just days before his death.

Among the more than 3,000 people who waited in line to offer their condolences to his family were day laborers, country club leaders, doctors, housewives, grocery store check-out clerks, childhood friends, construction workers, and bank presidents.

[3] In 2005, he was named to the Washington & Jefferson College Athletic Hall of Fame and received the Robert M. Murphy Award.

[8] Upon his passing, the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce began the Melvin B. Bassi Memorial Golf Tournament in his honor, with the proceeds going to Leadership Washington County.

[9] During the 2007 Commencement for Washington & Jefferson College, President Tori Haring-Smith dedicated a large portion of her speech to the graduating class to Bassi's legacy.