Cassella, Lee (Liberato), D.D.S. Lee Cassella passed away peacefully at his home in Poway, California on March 11, 2013. He left his life as he lived his life, with ease and grace, surrounded by his loved ones. Born Liberato Cassella, on June 29, 1924 in Hamden, CT to Michael & Angela Maria (Sagnella) Cassella, Lee graduated from both Dixwell Grammar School('38) and Hamden High School ('42) with honors. A WWII veteran, Lee served in the Army Air Corps in India and was honorably discharged with awards in 1946. A Connecticut Scholar, Lee was an honors graduate, class of 1950, of Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. He graduated from the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Dentistry; the Alpha Omega Scholar for number one standing in the class of 1955. After 13 years of general practice in Hamden, CT, he returned to Penn Dental Medicine, receiving a postgraduate specialty in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. He practiced oral surgery in Hamden, CT until his retirement in 1987. During his distinguished career, Lee served as an attending Oral Surgeon at Yale-New Haven and St. Raphael's Hospitals, Assistant Clinical Professor of Oral Surgery at Yale School of Medicine, Vice President of the New England Dental Society, Treasurer and Secretary of the New Haven Dental Association, a Member of the Connecticut State and American Dental Associations, the American Dental Society of Anesthesia, the International Association for Maxillofacial Surgery, and New England Regional Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He was a Fellow of the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the Royal Society of Health and a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus. Lee married Rita Rose Ives in West Haven, CT in 1949. They were happily married for 44 years. Upon Rita's passing, he married Joan Jansen in 1998, whom he loved and cherished up to the time of his passing. Lee is preceded in death by his parents, Michael & Angela (Mary) Cassella and his first wife, Rita Rose Cassella. He is survived by his wife, Joan of Poway, CA; four children, Carol Cassella, Dona Cassella Michael (Angela) Cassella and Lynne (Michael) Cassella-Blackburn; five stepchildren Edward (Josalani) Jansen, James (Judy) Jansen, Lorrie Louman, Bill (Becky) Jansen, Steve (Joanne) Jansen; sisters, Anne (Jack) Riccio, Evelyn (Peter) Schulam; grandchildren Luci Lee Cassella, Soren Cassella-Blackburn, Renee Racine, Robert Racine, Misha Cassella-Blackburn; step grandchildren Tammy Louman, Christina Louman, Lauren Jansen, Paula Hartley, Thomas Jansen, Jeremy Louman, Alex Jansen, Jessica Jansen, Christian Jansen, Keanna Jansen, Kevin Jansen, Stefany Jansen and Karenna Jansen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at Saint Gabriel's Catholic Church in Poway, CA with reception to follow. Lee will be interred at El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego, CA in a private family service. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested a donation in Lee's name to Saint Gabriel's Catholic Church in Poway, CA. Condolences may be left and guestbook signed at www.powaybernardomortuary.net under "Obituaries".
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6 Entries
It is with much sadness I hear of Lee's passing. Lee was married to Rita, my Mom's niece. We have many joyful memories of the Cassella home in Ct.and of Lee. He was a wonderful person. My parents adored Lee and Rita. Our deepest condolences to Lee's children on the loss of their Dad.
Cousin Ed and Lorraine Manfredi
North Scituate, Rhode Island
Ed Manfredi
March 20, 2013
We were so sorry to hear of your passing Lee; you were a wonderful and good hearted person..may you rest in peace ..love, your cousin Nickie and spouse Alfonso Festa
Alfonso & Maria Festa
March 19, 2013
I remember Lee and Rita from my parents Morgan and Joan Vendetti of Ct. Rita was my dad's niece. They were so kind a generous to my parents. I remember the best Christmas Eve I ever had in Woodbridge, Ct. What hospitality!! Lee had a wonderful singing voice. I remember taking my son in for oral surgery and you can hear him singing. My mother missed him and thought of him often, but sadly she developed Alzheimer's. Peace to all families and may Lee rest in peace.
Nancy Falcone
March 19, 2013
What an amazing man. I will miss him very much. We are all better for knowing him.
Glenn Thorpe
March 18, 2013
Thanks Dr. Cassella. You were a kind and gentle person. I was never afraid to "go to the dentist". You had a warm smile! I remember getting the coupons for a Friendly's ice cream after my appointments. You were there with Dr. Gamberdella when I had my surgery. To your family I'm very sorry for your loss.
Mo Haddock
March 17, 2013
To the family of one of my favotite people, Lee was my general dentist in my high school years.
After I graduated from dental school, I renewed my friendship with lee. When Lee left practice to further his dental education by becoming an oral surgeon, I just know he would be a "Cracker Jack" surgeon.
As the years went by, Lee and his partner Ray Gambardella remained our close personal friends. Professionally, Lee and Ray served so many of my patients well that I can't possibly even guess at the numbers.
When Lee retired and moved to California, I just knew he would make a new, meaningful life in retirement.
Lee's wonderful Christian ways have to have earned him a place in the presence of the Lord God.
Dr. Michael Pace, Jr.
March 16, 2013
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