John Kassab

FLORENCE -- John Kassab died Monday, July 15, 2002 at his residence after an extended illness. He was born March 14, 1911, in Chester, Pa., to Wadea and Sarah Kassab. He graduated from Ocean City High School in Ocean City, N.J., and attended Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa.

Mr. Kassab lived for a number of years in New York, N.Y., Montreal, Canada and Madeira, Portugal, prior to his induction into the U.S. Army in 1940. He was assigned to the 102nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Unit. Mr. Kassab landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, on June 6, 1942 (D-Day). He received the Arrowhead medal for participation in the D-Day assault. Mr. Kassab participated in five battle campaigns in European Theater of Operations, for which he was awarded the Silver Star. He also was awarded several Purple Hearts and several Bronze Stars.

In 1948, Mr. Kassab moved to Florence and married Adele Baroody. Mr. Kassab was a businessman who managed the N.B. Baroody Beverage Company until 1989. He served his community by participating in several organizations. He was a past president of the Kiwanis Club and Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the City County Complex Commission, and was a founder of Francis Marion University.

Mr. Kassab is survived by his wife, Adele Kassab; his daughters, Dianne Beauchamp of Delmar, Md., and Elizabeth Kolias of Stone Mountain, Ga.; his sons-in-law, Stacy Beauchamp and Thomas Kolias; three grandchildren, Michael Kolias, Joshua Kolias and Shannon Beauchamp; a sister, Elizabeth Kassab LeCleire and a brother, both of Wallingford, Pa.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 18 at Florence National Cemetery on National Cemetery Road in Florence directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Pee Dee, 555E. Cheves St., Florence, SC 29506; or to Francis Marion University, Highway 301 North, Florence, SC 29501.