John N. Cassetti

1924 - 08

John Nicholas Cassetti, 90, passed away Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, at his home in Gibsonia after a very brief bout with cancer. John was born Aug. 26, 1924, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was the son of John Nicholas Cassetti and Jane Finnerty Cassetti. He attended PS 238, Lafayette High School and St. John University. John eagerly joined the Marines during World War II and was in the V-5 flight program. After the war, John began his career in sales. In 1952, he met and married Jean Adrianne Dreyfus in Congers, N.Y. In 1958, he joined Vesuvius Crucible Company, a manufacturer of high temperature ceramics. Transfers and promotions moved them to Chesterton, Ind., but they returned to Pittsburgh 10 years later. He started as a salesman. During his tenure, Vesuvius expanded its markets worldwide and became a leader in the industry. In 1990, John retired as president and chairman of US Operations of Vesuvius Crucible International. John was a member of the Pittsburgh Athletic Association, The Fox Chapel Racquet Club and The Pittsburgh Field Club. He was the club's doubles champ, winning once with his son. He and his good friend Joe Weis won the senior tennis club championship. John was always quick to add they were the only two entrants in the 80 and over singles category! Although John often referred to his time after Vesuvius as his "retirement", those who knew him well knew he never truly retired. John started his second career in his much loved field of finance. His family would often tease him that no one who set their alarm for 5:30 in the morning for 25 years after he "retired" in order to check worldwide exchanges. During and after his time at Vesuvius, he and Jean enjoyed traveling. He felt blessed to have seen so much of this country that he dearly loved along with many parts of the world. John was a lifelong Republican and a Goldwater delegate to the 1964 Indiana State convention. He was a long time member of St. Scholastica's in Aspinwall before moving to St Barnabas, where he attended St. Richard's. John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jean; his son, Dick (Pauline); and daughters, Jaye Whitlock, Jill Solomon (Neil) and Vaune Taube. John will be deeply missed by his seven grandchildren, Tres Whitlock, Patrick Cassetti, Melinda and Julia Solomon and Rachael, Foster and Sarah Jane Taube; and by numerous nieces and nephews and their extended families. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at the WEDDELL-AJAK FUNERAL HOME, 100 Center Ave., Aspinwall. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, in St. Richard Catholic Church, 3841 Dickey Road, Gibsonia. The family respectfully suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made either to the Marine Corp Relief Fund (nmcrs.org) or The Little Sisters of the Poor.