Olimbeia CASSAR

1924 - 2024

CASSAR, Olimbeia (Sakezles) "Olly" was welcomed into her eternal heavenly home August 14, 2024 after a brief 100-year stay on earth. Mom was born April 29, 1924 in Syracuse, NY to a Greek-immigrant grocer, Thomas Sakezles, and a southern-bell homemaker, Anna Sakezles. At 20, during the height of World War II, Olly joined the Navy, serving from 1944 to 1946 as a Seaman 1st Class in the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, or WAVES. Shortly after the Navy, she married, and later divorced, our father, the late Robert F. Brosinski. His ship was sunk by Japanese torpedoes in the South Pacific in 1943. Mom's second husband, Joseph Cassar, died in 2004. Mom was an unsung supermom who single handedly raised three latchkey boys during the turbulent '60s in a two-bedroom apartment in the public housing Parkside project, Bronx, NY. Despite her emotional and financial challenges, she kept her boys fed, clothed and out of jail on a small salary at a medical supply company. Though she was a self-proclaimed noncook, Mom was a master fenekia maker. Each Christmas, her sons would receive a tin of the tasty Greek treats, sometimes weeks and more scrumptious later. Like fine wine, the sugar-drenched morsels are extra flavorful and addictive with age. Mom had a humble spirit though she was unafraid to express her opinion, at times in an abrupt fashion. Even in her final days, she brought joy to those who knew her and came to her bedside. Mom's faith in Christ came later in life. With her Bible and prayer list nearby, she shared her faith and was always willing to ask someone whether they knew Jesus. She longed to be with her Savior, and her dream was finally fulfilled (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Olly was preceded in death by sister-in-law, Gail (wife of Thomas Sakezles); brother, James; sister, Ethel and brother-in-law Carl Van Vliet, sister, Betty Lou Raines and brother, George. She is survived by brother, Thomas "Babe" Sakezles; sons, Robert Brosinski, Thomas and wife, Ivis Brosinski, and Steven and wife, Sandy Brosinski with five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. We thank the doctors and nurses at St. Joseph's Hospital, Hospice, and the staff at Elon Manor nursing home for their care and support in Mom's last days. Friends Jane and Steven Miller, and other members of Lutz Community Church, frequently delivered loving encouragement and welcome milk chocolates to Mom. We cherish the memory of Mom enjoying her well-attended 100th birthday party at the Manor. Her taste for frosted cake and chocolates was alive and well. Mom's beautiful smile, tender hands and loving ways will always live in our hearts. With a Navy honor guard, we will celebrate Mom's life at Blount and Curry Funeral Home Terrace Oaks Chapel, 12690 N. 56th St., Tampa, FL at 12 pm, Friday, August 30, 2024. Mom's ashes will be interred at a later date in Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.