CASSISTA, RAYMOND T. (NHFD RET.) Raymond T. Cassista, Jr. (N.H.F.D. Ret), 79, of West Haven, for 54 years the beloved husband of the late Teresa Enright Cassista, loving father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, died Saturday, February, 9, 2013 at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Raymond was born in New Haven, February 25, 1933, a son of the late Raymond T. Cassista, Sr. and Eunice Patche Cassista. Serving on the USS Roosevelt, he rendered honorable service in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. Following his military service, he joined the New Haven Fire Department and was a member of the Department Color Guard. Ray was a Medal of Valor recipient, and his entire career with the department was with Engine 9 on Ellsworth Avenue. He was a Past Grand Knight with the Fr. Curtin Council, #2541, Knights Of Columbus, West Haven, and a Past Commander with American Legion Post 70, in New Haven. He is survived by his loving children, Gary (Cindy) Cassista, of Milford, Mark (Marianne) Cassista, of Westbrook, Scott (Victoria) Cassista, of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, Stephen Cassista, of West Haven, and Kim (Tom) McCourt, of West Haven. Also surviving are his cherished grandchildren, Greg and Nikki Cassista, Bryce, Alec, and Cole Cassista, Matt and Kyle Cassista, and Brian, Christina, and Stephanie McCourt. He also leaves seven brothers and sisters, Joel (Barbara) Cassista and Richard (Lee) Cenkus, both of Florida, Jack (Laurie) Cenkus, of Westbrook, Stanley (Marie) Cenkus, of East Haven, Tina DeAngelis, and Carol (Charles) Johnson, both of Florida, and Sandy (Paul) Russo, of East Windsor and Florida, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Louis DeAngelis. The funeral will be from the Keenan Funeral Home, 238 Elm Street, Thursday morning at 10:15 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Lawrence Church at 11:00. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Sincere thanks are extended to the professional and support staff of the Smilow Cancer Hospital for their compassionate and competent care. Also, with deepest personal gratitude, we extend special thanks to everyone at Biagetti's Resturant for all the loving and remarkable things you've done for Mom and Dad. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial gifts to The Smilow Cancer Hospital, Office of Development, P.O. Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508-9979. Condolences may be offered online at www.keenanfuneralhome.com
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for an old friend and co-worker back in the day. He was a wonderful,friendly,caring person. RIP Ray
toni brown
November 23, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Cassista family. Your father was a wonderful person to have to call a friend. He will be missed by everyone that knew him and my husband and I will always remember him and your Mom in our prayers.
Francine and Guy Mure
February 16, 2013
Mark and Family,
My deepest sympathy's, your Dad was a great man. May God bless you all during this very sad time.
Tim Nolan
February 14, 2013
Dear Mark & Family,
Very sorry for the loss of your father. Please accept my deepest condolences.
Denise Vece
February 14, 2013
Gary, all our love and prayers for the loss of your wonderful father. I will always remember the enjoyable times I spent with Ray counting the Sunday collection at St. Lawrence. He was a great man and he will be missed by all who knew him. You were blessed to have him as your dad.
Paul & Fran Rapanault
February 13, 2013
Thinking of you during this very difficult time and hoping your wonderful memories will bring you comfort.
With deepest sympathy, Vinny & Tammy (Kelly) Mursko
February 13, 2013
Mark, It sounds like your dad was an interesting man who got a lot done in his life. Im sorry I never got to meet him, we are sad to hear of his passing.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your whole family.
Rick,Jill,Cole and Callie Newberg
Rick Newberg
February 13, 2013
Praying for some peace for the Cassista family. It has been a long few years with the passing of both of your parents(grands). Our hope is that you can finally get to sit back and breathe. Jody and Jen Kealey
Jody Kealey
February 13, 2013
Mark,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at your time of sorrow.
Louise McDermott
February 13, 2013
Gary, Mark and Family,
Please accept my sincere sympathy on the passing of your father. Having known you, I am sure he was a man of great character. Peace and strength to you and your family.
Paul Raucci
February 12, 2013
Cassista Family -
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I am very sorry for your loss.
Katie Messier
February 12, 2013
To Ray's family--we are truely sorry for your loss. We are part of the "Biagetti" Wednesday group and so enjoyed your mom and dad. He will definitely be missed,as was your mom. It was a priviledge to have known both of them. Tom and Joanne Jenci & Pat Corbally
February 12, 2013
Our most sincere condolences for your loss. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
The Deck family
February 12, 2013
Gary i am so sorry for your loss. Although i cannot be there with you and your family during this sad time my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I know your pain and heartache all too well. My love to all of you!
Jerol Sullivan
February 12, 2013
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
jim melbourne
February 12, 2013
gary and cindy sorry to hear the bad news.my prayers are with you. jim melbourne,port orange,fl
February 12, 2013
i will miss you ray you always very nice to me and to everyone around you..you will be missed all the time...you always took care of people around you..you will be in heaven buddy..
scooby doo
February 12, 2013
You have to be a great person to fit in with the Enright tree, and he certainly lived up to it. My deepest condolences to all of you.
Joseph Bohan
February 12, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
The Wysocki family
February 12, 2013
Very good Man. God Bless.
Anthony DelVecchio
February 12, 2013
To Mark and the Cassista family, sorry for your loss, your Dad sounds like he was one of the good guys.
Sincerely, Ken Kelly
Ken Kelly
February 12, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
The Bells
February 12, 2013
Mark and all your family, my sincere condolences to you all. The Honch is an outstanding man who certainly made this world a better place.I am privileged to have known him and feel a deep sadness at his passing. My thoughts are with you all.
Bob Kessler
February 12, 2013
Harry & Evelyn Peschell
A truly wonderful man will be missed.
February 12, 2013
I am sorry to hear of the loss of Ray,he was a good person and firefighter. God bless
Jack Ryan NHFD
February 12, 2013
To the Cassista Family;
Our thoughts & prayers go out to all of you. We were so fortunate to have known Ray and have fond momories of him. We will miss him very much. He was never without a smile or a kind word to say. Keep the memories close to your heart.
Love, Lou & Nancy Tagliatela
February 12, 2013
To the Cassista family, my sincerest condolences on your Fathers passing. Bob Lingane
Bob Lingane
February 11, 2013
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