Gustave LaStaiti, 98, of Mattapoisett, died Aug. 5, 2008 at Tobey Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Elsa (Scotti) LaStaiti.
    Born in Messina, Sicily, Italy, the son of the late Leo and Sarina (Crisafulli) Staiti, he was raised in Quincy and lived in the Greater New Bedford area most of his life.
    Gus was the quintessential American success story, and one in which generosity of spirit and resources have been paramount. Making the most of opportunities that presented themselves, Gus, despite very limited financial resources, soon found himself owning his own beauty salon. He was able to parlay this beginning into a chain of approximately 60 beauty salons throughout New England and New York State.
     As his need for additional hairdressers increased, he took a decisive step and opened his own beauty academy. In a short time, he became the largest operator of hairdressing academies in New England with 14 academies, which included the only New York based advanced-styling schools for hairdressers, which he purchased from Charles of the Ritz. In 1968, he capitalized upon another opportunity and procured the first bank charter in the City of New Bedford in over 100 years.
    When the Southeastern Bank and Trust Company opened its doors in June of 1969, Gus served as President of the Board and C.E.O. His innovative approach to banking made SBTC one of the fastest growing banks in New England, and in 1980, the bank became affiliated with the First National Bank of Boston later known as Bank of Boston-Bristol and later Bank America. He was also former co-owner of Gold Bond Powder.
    Survivors include his daughter, Sandra S. Sylvia and her husband Edward W. of Mattapoisett; seven grandchildren, Lisa Segalas and her husband Harry, Laurie MacDonald, Duncan MacDonald and his wife Gretchen, Brendan MacDonald and his wife Maite, Angela Crowley and her husband Scott, Scott LaStaiti and Monica LaStaiti; seven great-grandchildren, Kyle, Haley, Duncan, Brendan, Zane, Annie and Mack; numerous nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Ronald LaStaiti and brother of the late Lillian Voci, Fred Staiti, Assunta Diara and Joseph Staiti.