Louis John Casinghino

Louis John Casinghino
Louis John "Corky" Casinghino, 84, passed away peacefully at his home in Suffield surrounded by his loving family on Monday, October 20, 2025. Lou was the eldest son of Carlo and Rose (Schianca) Casinghino, born on July 3, 1941. He grew up in the Thompsonville section of Enfield, Connecticut, and Lou was known as "Corky" from the time he was a baby through his young adulthood. As a newborn, he suffered from the rare condition of congenital childhood glaucoma, and the successful surgery he experienced as an infant by Dr. Paul Chandler in Boston was among groundbreaking cases in such treatment. Lou loved his childhood neighborhood on Spring Street in Enfield and was proud of his close-knit Italian American community. Lou was a deeply devoted son to his parents Carlo and Rose, and he always treasured the powerful bonds he and his younger brothers Larry and Bob held with their caring and supportive parents. Lou graduated from Enfield High School in 1959 and went on to attend Central Connecticut State University, where he served as vice president of his graduating class, earning a degree in secondary education. In the first years of his career, Lou was a middle school history teacher in South Windsor, while pursuing his master's degree in elementary school administration. In 1970, he became the principal of two elementary schools in New Hartford: New Hartford Elementary School and Bakerville Consolidated School. Throughout his career, he was proud of the students who attended his schools and was celebrated as a supportive leader of his teachers and staff. He served as the administrator of those two schools until his retirement in 1997.
Lou moved to Suffield with his young family in 1971, where he would reside for the remainder of his life. As a father, he was dedicated to his three children Carl, Brian, and Lori from his first marriage to Bonnie Baker, and, after his marriage to his wife Karen in 1987, also to his two stepchildren Michael and Lisa DePaolo. Later, he was overjoyed to also become a proud, involved grandfather.
Lou was a tireless advocate and promoter of public service and the power of education, and his civic involvements included service for three terms on the Suffield Board of Education, as well as nearly 40 years on the Suffield Parks & Recreation Commission, for which he served as chairman in his final 15 years. He was especially proud of his role in the planning and completion of the new Suffield High School as well as the Suffield Family Recreation Complex and Carlo and Rose Casinghino Memorial Courts. Another of his proudest moments was when the Louis Casinghino Service Award of the Town of Suffield was established and has since been given annually by the Parks & Recreation Department.
Lou is grieved by his beloved family: his wife Karen of 38 years; son Carl Casinghino and his wife Alexandra, and grandchildren Matteo, Lucie, and Vincent of Suffield, Connecticut; son Brian Casinghino and his wife Heather, and grandchildren Anna and Daniel of Suffield, Connecticut; daughter Lori Casinghino and her wife Bernadette Kenny, of Milton, Massachusetts; stepson Michael DePaolo and his wife Nicholyn, and grandchildren Duke and Ruby of Wakefield, Massachusetts; stepdaughter Lisa (DePaolo) L'Italien and her husband Corey, and granddaughter Mia of Groveland, Massachusetts. He is also survived by his brothers Lawrence Casinghino of Memphis, Tennessee and Robert Casinghino and his wife Deborah of Agawam, Massachusetts, along with many cousins and nephews and nieces and in-laws.
Visiting hours will be held from 3-7PM on Thursday, October 23 at Browne Memorial Chapels in Enfield, CT. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 10:30AM at Saint Patrick's Church in Enfield, CT, with burial at Saint Patrick's Cemetery to follow.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in Lou's name to The Children's Glaucoma Foundation; or Suffield Parks and Recreation Best Buddies Program. To view the full obituary notice go to www.brownememorialchapels.com.