December 8, 2021

We recently lost another member of the FirstEnergy family. Ken Sappio, SCADA modeling specialist, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 27, after battling COVID-19.

“Ken was a kind man with a big heart, who was always willing to help others,” said Dan Rimelspach, supervisor, EMS SCADA/Display. “He was known to his community and his coworkers as a reliable friend. As an engineer, he displayed a questioning attitude and was curious to research and document the details of complex issues. Ken was an eager learner and was never shy about speaking up when something didn’t seem right. His candor was appreciated. Our team misses him greatly,” Dan continued.

During this difficult time, our thoughts are with Ken’s family and his coworkers at the Akron Control Center.

Ken’s love of engineering extended into his hobbies too, which included working with electronics and computers. He especially liked programming, which he first learned in the 1980s on his Radio Shack TRS-80 computer. He also liked working on electronic projects in his home shop and enjoyed science fiction movies, boilers, old cars and engines. He was a regular exhibitor at the Canfield Fair Antique Equipment Pageant, Antique Power Exhibition in Burton, Ohio, Portersville Pennsylvania Steam Show and the Algonquin Mill Festival.

Ken leaves behind his son, Michael Sappio. In Ken’s memory, the FirstEnergy Foundation is making a $2,500 donation to 2^nd Harvest Food Bank, which is the 501(c)(3) organization chosen by his son.