Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Ray Cassarino Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ray Cassarino
Ellen Rosenfield
February 9, 2023
Ray was my piano teacher when I was in high school. I'm taking jazz piano lessons again as a 75 year old, and my teacher keeps saying how good my basic knowledge of chords was. That's thanks to my teacher. I wish I'd looked this up earlier!
Ellen Rosenfield (took lessons around 1962 or so)
Randy Plude
October 27, 2008
Randy Jon Plude
Albert Clogston
June 13, 2008
To everyone in the Cassarino Family I send my sincere condolences. I studied with Ray for two years in the early eighties after graduating from the Hartt School of Music. Ray was without a doubt the greatest musical influence in my life. I learned more applicable techniques and theory in two years with Ray than in my entire four years at the college.
I now teach what I consider the Ray Cassarino method to my own piano students and use the knowlege learned form him every time I play.
Teachers like Ray come along once in a lifetime, if you're lucky,and I was lucky to have studied with Ray.
He is, and will always be fondly remembered.
Ned Rosen
April 1, 2008
I just heard about Ray's passing. My deepest condolences to everyone in his family. I took lessons with Ray 1962-68, until I left for college, and have been a part-time jazz and pop piano player ever since. When people ask me how I learned to play, I simply say that I had the greatest jazz piano teacher in the world. Reharmonization, block chord stylings, chord scales, improvisational exercises, he taught me all I know about the piano. He was a tremendous musician who, through his music and his students, made the world a more beautiful place.
Dan Fine
March 6, 2008
My condolences to you and your family. I studied with Ray for more than four years and can still credit so many of the chords, phrases and songs that I learned from him.
I saw him at the convalescent home last fall and told him how much he and his teaching meant to me. Also mentioned that I was also playing sax and he said "I bet you're a good horn player". It pained me to see him as he was, but I was so grateful that I was able to see him once more and tell him how important he was to me.
He was a great player, a great teacher, a great friend and a very strong President of local 400
John Brighenti
February 29, 2008
Dear Ray,Cynthia,Sandy and Corinth,
My deepest condolences to all of
you on the passing of your father.
You should all be very proud of
his accomplishments.He was much more than a teacher to me. I considered your father a friend
since he helped me immensely in
my formative years.
Being in Atlanta with your mom and
dad and having them come to our
home for an entire Sunday in l976
were moments that I'll always remember.
You will always be in my prayers.
Keep in touch with me.
John Brighenti
Dave R.
February 28, 2008
Very sorry to hear of Ray's passing. His reharmonizations of classic jazz tunes live on-my aunt took lessons from him many years ago. We often play the arrangements and she copies them for me. I then pass them on to my guitar students. Great stuff!!
Frank Cassarino
February 28, 2008
To the family of Ray Cassarino
I am saddened to hear of your father's passing. Although we spent minimal time together years ago, we enjoyed each other's company. Your father was a great pianist, and I often heard about his music from other musicians.
Cousin Frank Cassarino, formerly of New Britain, Connecticut
Morgan Carroll
February 28, 2008
Cynthia and Ray:
I'm sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I never did meet him but your Mom told me a lot of stories when I lived with you on Oakdale St. What a wonderful woman she was! Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Marti Schiff
February 27, 2008
I am deeply saddened to hear about Mr. Cassarino's passing (he was after all my piano teacher). I studied under Ray for about 5 years ending in 1979. He was also patient and kind and was a wonderful teacher. He always made sure there was one piece to work on each week that was special to me. I still have all of his sheet music notes and theory teachings. My best to his family on this tremendous loss.
Tish Ricks cna at Elm Hill
February 27, 2008
Cynthia, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Chris Arcari
February 27, 2008
Ray, sorry to hear of your dads passing.
Rob Kudyba
February 27, 2008
Ray,
Sorry to hear about your loss. I enjoyed the few times I got to interact with him and hearing him play in your basement on Oakdale St. I'm sure he's jamming whereever he is...
James Argiro
February 27, 2008
I'm heartbroken. Ray was my mentor and an inspiration to me. Much of what I am today I owe to him. I find it difficult to express the sorrow I feel at the moment. My deepest sympathy goes out to all family members.
Brad Ellis
February 27, 2008
I was sorry to read about Ray's passing, and my condolences go to his family at this difficult time. Just wanted to make sure you know that Ray touched many lives with his gift of music. I took jazz piano lessons from Ray in 1979-1981, starting when I was 12 years old. He was strict and pushed me, often in ways I didn't feel like moving. But he was also compassionate, showing interest in my development and became an early mentor to me. I have vivid memories of sitting with him in a stuffy practice room at the Conservatory, Ray teaching me Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo", the inimitable look of his manuscript hand-writing, his chord voicings, and the image of his hands on the keyboard. I've kept up playing jazz piano to this day (see CD "Christmas in Rye Brook" on the internet), and value the good start he gave me all those years ago.
With sympathy,
Brad Ellis
Patricia Monroe Coleman
February 27, 2008
So many memories..........May he rest in peace........
Amy Twill-Beilman
February 27, 2008
Dear Ray and Jill,
I want to express my sympathies on the passing of your Dad, Ray. I remember you talking about him to me years ago. I hope that time eases your loss.
Love,
Amy Twill
Donald J. McCarthy, Jr.
February 27, 2008
Cynthia:
I was very sorry to read of the passing of your dad, he sounds like an extremely interesting and gifted man. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Don McCarthy
John DiNardi
February 27, 2008
So sorry to hear of Ray's passing. He and my dad, Tony DiNardi worked many jobs together and I remember him well.
Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home
February 27, 2008
Our sincere sympathies for your loss.
Showing 1 - 20 of 20 results
Make a Donation
in Ray Cassarino's name
Memorial Events
for Ray Cassarino
Funeral services provided by:
Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home - Wethersfield1276 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield, CT 06109
How to support Ray's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Ray Cassarino's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
