Charles A. Cafasso

Charles A. Cafasso, a master meat cutter who shepherded the growth of his family's Fort Lee fine-foods market, has died. He was 89.

Cafasso's Fairway Market traces its roots to the dry goods store that Mr. Cafasso's father, Umberto, opened in 1927 in the family home on 67th Street in North Bergen. After returning from his World War II Army service, Mr. Cafasso helped run the business which had expanded to include a butcher department in a new location down the block.

The family opened a second market on Anderson Avenue in Fort Lee. By 1962, the North Bergen store had closed and the Cafassos focused on the Fort Lee location.

Mr. Cafasso oversaw three expansions of Fairway which is not connected to the Fairway grocery chain before passing management to the next generation in 1984.

"Dad decided to teach us the hard way to learn by our mistakes and he gave us the reins," said Mr. Cafasso's son David, the store's vice president. "And to stay out of our way, he opened up The Brass Rail restaurant in Hoboken."

Mr. Cafasso spent the next 18 years as a restaurateur, his son said, "but don't get me wrong he made his appearances at Fairway every day."

David Cafasso said his father was a perfectionist, especially in the butcher department.

In retirement, the hardworking Mr. Cafasso visited Fairway Market to help out. "He came to stock shelves and talk to people that was important to him," his son said.

Mr. Cafasso, a Fort Lee resident since 1966, died April 26.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nunzia; sons David, Robert and Charles Jr., all of Fort Lee; and three grandsons, who are the fourth generation involved in the business.

Services were held Monday under the direction of A.K. Macagna Funeral Home, Cliffside Park.