John E. Nastasi Sr., 82, a native of Bogalusa and longtime resident of Baton Rouge, was born July 17, 1935, the son of the late Joseph R. and Minnie Bell Nastasi. He passed away Dec. 31, 2017.

In his youth, he worked as a projectionist, along with brother Roy, at the State, Ritz, and Redwood theaters that their father managed for the Berenson family of Bogalusa. He was also a journeyman electrician. John attended Southeastern Louisiana University, and went on to enlist in the U.S. Naval Reserve, where he served as a radioman aboard a ship. He later became a licensed broadcast engineer and worked for radio stations in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida before moving to Baton Rouge and accepting a position with WBRZ-TV in 1968.

John retired from the television station after 32 years of service in 2000. He was an active volunteer for the American Red Cross and an avid scouter who served as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 211 throughout the 1980s and 1990s. John was an amateur radio operator, for more than half a century, who was active in the local ham community and the Quarter Century Wireless Association.

He is survived by a son, John E. Nastasi Jr. and wife Kristine of Baton Rouge; and four grandchildren, Kathryn, Joseph, Sara and Rebecca Nastasi. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph R. and Minnie Bell Nastasi; and brother, Roy J. Nastasi.

Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 5, at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, located at 9150 Highland Road in Baton Rogue, starting at 9 a.m. until the mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Visitation will continue in Bogalusa on Saturday, Jan. 6, at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home, from 9 a.m. until the services at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Hillview Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to thank Dr. Matthew Chamberlain, Dr. Bao Tran, Dr. Scott Anderson and the Our Lady of the Lake Hospital medicine team for their many efforts, and their kind and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Boy Scouts of America, Istrouma Area Council, 9644 Brookline Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70809.

To view and sign the guestbook online, visit www.pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.