Joseph Cassi Jr.
Joseph Cassi, Jr. passed away peacefully on November 25, 2024, at home in Moretown, Vermont, surrounded by his family. Joe was born on August 8, 1936, in New York City, the son of Joseph and Pauline Cassi. Joe enlisted in the United States Navy in 1954 where he was stationed on the USS Ranger aircraft carrier and was honorably discharged with a Good Conduct Medal in December of 1958.
He married his wife Frances Gould in 1957, they raised three children and were happily married until her passing in 2006. In his early years, Joe worked as a cement mason in New York City on crews that built foundations for many of Manhattan’s most famous and notable buildings. He retired many years later as a rock quarry safety foreman and moved to Vermont to be close to family who, years earlier, had established themselves and their families in the Green Mountains.
Joe was a loyal New York Yankees fan and in his younger days, he loved fishing and participating in bowling leagues. Most of all he loved his family. They were everything to him. A simple, quiet, and gentle man, he asked for very little but gave so much and his presence reminded us of our New York Italian roots every single day. Thank you for always being there for us, trusting us, and all the memories you leave behind. We are forever grateful for all that you gave us, taught us, showed us. We are going to miss you so much.
Joe is predeceased by his wife Frances Cassi, son John Cassi, sister Doris Booth, and son-in-law Eric Koeller. Joe is survived by his daughter Patricia Koeller Cassi, daughter Kathryn O’Neill and her husband Jim, grandchildren Dawn Robinson and her husband Ryan, Sara-Paule Koeller and her husband Sam, Ian Koeller, Miles Koeller and his wife Raina, Spencer Koeller, and Seamus O’Neill. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Dawn’s daughters Lorelai, Eliza, and Miles’ son Ezra.
A military funeral honors ceremony will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 1 p.m., from the chapel at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph, Vermont. A friends and family gathering will follow at the home of Kate and Jim O’Neill in Moretown, and all are welcome.
Joe’s family wishes to extend sincere and endless thanks to all the staff and volunteers at Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice as well as Mad River Seniors (Meals on Wheels) in Waitsfield, Vermont. Donations to these two incredible organizations will help them assist so many others in our community who count on their supports and services, just as they helped Joe with exquisite and compassionate care.
