Rene Cassano

Rene Christian Cassano of Bennington passed away on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. He was born in Bennington on April 15, 1949 to Sylvio and Edeltraut (Haverkamp) Cassano. As a child Rene danced with Ducharme Studio, appearing once on Teenage Barn. He graduated from Bennington Catholic High School in 1967.

He enlisted in the Air Force and served as a Morse Code Intercept Operator in Italy and Taiwan, a skill that he never forgot, often vocalizing the syllables of a person's name for them as part of his story when they asked what he had done in the Air Force. Rene was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier for 38 years, retiring in 2009.

After retiring he enjoyed being a volunteer driver for the Veteran's Administration, bringing veterans to their appointments in White River Junction, logging in more than 7,500 hours of service. Rene was also a frequent blood donor for the Red Cross, donating over 20 gallons of blood during his lifetime. He was a member of Knights of Columbus 4th Degree and a member of Sacred Heart St Francis deSales Church where he sang in the choir. He enjoyed tending to his blueberry bushes and in his earlier years making maple syrup in his sugar house.

Rene was pre-deceased by his parents and a half brother. He is survived by his wife Lynne, daughter Silvia, brother Curtis, nieces, nephews and cousins, as wells a loving extended family members.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Sacred Heart St. Francis deSales Church in Bennington on Monday, October 6th at 11 a.m. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Park Lawn Cemetery in Bennington . Friends may call at the EP Mahar and Son Funeral Home in Bennington on Monday October 6 from 9:30-10:30 AM.

Contributions in his memory can be made to the DAV at dav.org or to Bennington Project Independence through Paypal or calling 802-442-8136.