Vincent Frank Cassano

Vincent Frank Cassano died peacefully in his sleep of natural causes, at home in Clermont, FL, on June 12, 2022. Vincent was born July 12, 1943, in Brooklyn, NY, to Frank and Clara Savino Cassano. He grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and attended St. Francis Xavier elementary school. At age 12 his family achieved the goal of home ownership and moved to Hempstead, Long Island. He attended Uniondale High School, graduating in 1961.  
 
Vincent worked for one year at a stock brokerage firm. After many talks with company executives, who encouraged him to become a stockbroker, Vince decided to go to college. He attended the State University at Farmingdale, NY, and Nassau Community College in the evenings, followed by two years at Gannon University, in Erie, PA, from 1962 to 1964. Vince transferred to Boston University and graduated in 1966 from the School of Communications with a Bachelor of Science Degree.
 
Vince loved the broadcasting industry. Throughout college, he worked in radio as an announcer at WWYN, Erie, PA, and at WSEE, TV, Erie, PA, as a News Director. While at Boston U., Vince helped start the college radio station and was Sales Manager. He also worked at WBUR-FM and WCOP-AM as a news reporter. 
 
After graduation, Vince worked in sales at WGBB-AM and WGSM-FM on Long Island. He achieved a dream and worked at CBS News, NY, under Walter Cronkite and Harry Reasoner in the late 1960s.
 
Vince was proud to have been one of only 14 photographers in the NY State Army National Guard's 242nd Signal Battalion, part of the NY State 42nd Infantry Division's (Rainbow Division) 14,000 members. His unit was based in Hempstead, NY, from 1966 to 1971.
 
After working in Advertising, Marketing, and PR positions for companies on Long Island, Vince relocated to Connecticut in 1973 for a job opportunity as Marketing Director with the Edwards Company, a unit of General Signal Corporation. There he started and managed a Marketing department for three divisions. In 1977 he owned a printing company, and in 1978, he founded Cassano Associates Inc., an Advertising and Marketing firm in Monroe, CT. The company worked with Fortune 500 companies in Connecticut and New York and won many awards, as Vince would say, "against the big boys."  In 1980, Vincent moved to Ridgefield, CT.  In 1991, he changed gears and was one of the first to work from home as a Marketing Consultant. His goal was to spend more time with his son Christopher and his two daughters, Kathlen and Erica.
 
In 1998 Vince moved to the sunshine state. Living in Disney's Celebration, FL was a dream come true. He began Case Marketing Group, Inc. His son, an FSU graduate, helped propel the company to new heights with his knowledge of computer programming, Search Engine Optimization, computer science, and Marketing. He treasured the time spent working with his son and took great pride in the accomplishments of his three children: Kathlen, a nurse in New York working on her PhD; Erica, a Senior Photo Producer at Apple; and Chris, CTO and Co-Founder of Lit Protocol.
 
Vince enjoyed living in Celebration, as did his wife Cheryl, who became Assistant Principal of Celebration School. He often said: "We're complementary opposites, and without her, I would not have achieved the success that has blessed our lives."
 
Vince spent time advising young people who worked for him in high school and college. He taught his young proteges to "Always carry a pen. It shows you mean business, and having a pen is what separated me from the other candidates when competing for a job at CBS News, NY.” You knew you were a distinguished colleague if Vince gave you a special Parker Pen.
 
Vince was a consummate networker in business and life. He enjoyed many Facebook friends and was passionate about his love of his country. Family and friends will never forget his enthusiasm for life, stories about growing up in a large Italian family, quick smile, and friendliness.  He was well known for his sense of humor and could make friends with anyone.
 
Vincent is survived by his wife, Cheryl Brooks Cassano of Clermont, FL; sister Francine Cassano of Lincoln, RI; son Christopher Vincent Cassano of Clermont, FL and San Francisco, CA; daughter Kathlen Cassano Shankar (husband Ravi Shankar) of New City, NY; daughter Erica Cassano of Los Angeles, CA; and two grandsons, Cason and Kiran Shankar of New City, NY. Vincent had four nephews: Matthew Norton and Kyle Norton of MA, Tyler Dineen of NY and Colin Dineen of IL. He is pre-deceased by his sister, Phyllis Dineen.  
 
Funeral arrangements are private at this time. Family and friends are invited to sign a guest book at Becker Funeral Home, 806 West Minneola Avenue, Clermont, FL. 34711.