Philip Tommy Thomas Casasa Jr.

DATELINE: Tampa Florida- Philip Thomas Casasa, Jr., formerly of Portland, died Friday July 1, 2011, after a long battle with cancer. He died at home with his sister, Barbara at his side. Tommy was born in Portland June 10, 1955 to Philip T. and Kathleen O’Brien Casasa. He grew up in Portland and graduated from Deering High school in 1974. He was on the soccer and swim teams for Deering. He was voted Mr. Personality by his classmates, a trait he carried throughout his life. With his easy nature and quiet acts of kindness, he was liked by all. He worked for the Portland Water District, Young’s Furniture, Shalom House, Bruno’s Restaurant and in recent years at Cohen, Foster, and Romine Law Firm, Tampa, Fl.Tommy lived most of his life in Portland. He was an excellent skier and enjoyed golf and gardening. He followed sports with a passion, often attending local boxing matches. He was well read and knowledgeable about many subjects. A conversation often turned to a lively debate on politics. A life long Democrat, he held the principles of justice and fairness for those less fortunate.Most important to him were his family and friends. He was devoted to his mother and was a loving brother and uncle. He made it a point to attend special events for his niece’s and nephew’s such as dance recitals, sporting events, chess tournaments and was always there for the big occasions like weddings and births. Family holidays were especially important to him and Christmas was never complete without his sister Kathleen’s Italian meatballs. Whether you knew him well or just slightly, he greeted everyone with his warm smile, twinkle in his eyes and that Italian head toss. He had a quick wit and great sense of humor and always enjoyed having friends at family gatherings as he put it ‘ for making us look more functional.”He moved to Tampa in 2003 and made his home with his sister Barbara and her family, making many new friends and enjoying an extended family. The Cohen family opened their arms and hearts and readily adopted Tommy, expanding his repertoire from baptisms to brises. While working at the law firm of Cohen, Foster and Romine where he met wonderful friends who also supported him throughout his illness. He had the unique opportunity to live close to his cousins Judy, Jean, Kevin and Ralph who were constant companions during his illness. He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa and a former communicant of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Portland. He was always a deeply religious person. Throughout the many challenges in his life, his faith remained steady and strong. Perhaps it isn’t the gifts we are given that define us, but the struggles and burdens which reveal our grace and dignity. Tommy’s sweetness was present even at the end.He is predeceased by his father in 1994. Besides his mother of Portland, he leaves two sisters, Kathleen M. Casasa and her husband Peter Blouin of Portland, Barbara A. Casasa and her husband Barry Cohen of Tampa, Fl, nephews; Barry A. Cohen, Peter Philip Casasa-Blouin and Ben Blouin, nieces; Kathleen Nicole Casasa-Blouin and Kathryn Blouin, uncle James and aunt Patricia O’Brien of Lowell, Mass, and their children; James, Steven, David and Paul, uncle Ralph O’Brien of Clearwater, Fl, and his children; Ralph, Kevin, Elaine, Jean and Judy. He will be missed as he was loved, greatly.Relatives and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Thursday July 7, 2011 from 4 to 8PM at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Prayers will be recited Friday July 8, 2011 at 9:15 Am at the funeral home to be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Rev. George Collins, S.J. as celebrant. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, So. Portland. If so desired, contributions may be made in his memory to American Lung Association of Maine, 122 State St, Augusta, Me. 04330.