In Memoriam: Ralph M. Casolo

From Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home.

Ralph Michael Casolo, a World War II veteran, died peacefully in his home on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2015 in Stamford. He was 97.

Born in New Haven, to Italian immigrant parents, Angelo and Emmuella Vecchio Casolo. Ralph was a lifelong resident of Stamford.

After the War, Ralph held many jobs in Stamford. He worked in the Stamford Department Store, served as a special police officer, worked at Wendon Company and then ended his career utilizing his skilled trade as a carpenter in Stamford, building many homes in the area. Among those many jobs Ralph’s biggest joy in life was being surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his four children, Mary Venetucci and her husband Anthony of Cave Creek, AZ, Barbara Irish and her husband Ronald of Vermont, Mildred Vecere of Stamford, and his youngest, Ralph A. Casolo and his wife Ingrid, of Stamford. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews as well as his faithful dog Scooter.

Ralph is preceded by his beloved wife, Fortunata (Vera) Casolo, married 60 years, who passed away in 2001. He is also predeceased by his siblings Angelo Casolo, Patsy, Casolo, Margaret Casolo and Susie Franco, his son-in-law, John Vecere and his loving dog, Teddy.

The irony of his passing on Christmas Eve is that this was a very special day, his family and particularly his grandchildren, shared very fond memories with him. During the childhood days of his grandchildren’s upbringing, each year Grandpa Ralph and Grandma Vera hosted a traditional Christmas Eve family gathering. The gathering hosted all family members and was comprised of laughter, love, holiday music, home cooked traditional Italian fair, and a very special card game presented by Ralph himself that he played with only the grandchildren. This is just one of the special memories the family shared of Ralph M. Casolo, a loving father, uncle, grandpa, great-grandpa, great-great grandpa. May he rest in peace.

A funeral procession will leave the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory on Wednesday December 30, at 9:20AM and proceed to St. Mary’s RC Church, 566 Elm St., Stamford, for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10 AM. Interment will follow at St. John’s RC Cemetery, Darien. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday December 29, from 4 to 8 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.