Santo Casella

Mr. Casella was involved in myriad public service activities throughout his adult life, including service as Town Commissioner/Deputy Mayor for the Town of Belleair, member of the Pinellas County Historic Preservation Board, member of the City of Tallahassee's Mayor's Forging the Future Committee, President of the South Ward Elementary School Parent Teacher Association and many others. Underlying each act of service was his commitment to the highest ethical standards and honest donations of his time and energy to improve the public good.

At the time of his death, Mr. Casella was principal of The Planning Authority, LLC in Belleair, Florida. Previously in his career he was planner-in-residence at Florida State University, principal of Casella & Associates, executive director of the Clearwater Downtown Development Board, and a planner in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Mr. Casella served as the American Planning Association (APA) president from 1993 to 1995 and as president of APA's professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), from 2001 to 2003.

"He blended well his roles as practitioner, planner-in-residence at FSU, and leader within APA," said APA CEO Paul Farmer, FAICP. "He will be missed among our community of planners."

Mr. Casella was inducted into the College of Fellows of AICP in the inaugural class of 1999. His nominators recognized him for "a major contribution to the practice of planning, particularly in the area of urban revitalization. ... Sam Casella epitomizes the practitioner who aspires to serve the public interest in every arena."

He is survived by his wife, Xiaoyun Casella, whom he met in Beijing in 2005, and by his children, Chloe House, Sam H. Casella, Alex Casella, and five grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm, Sunday, March 9, 2014 at the Moss Feaster Funeral Home, 693 S. Belcher Road in Clearwater, Florida.

Friends and family may sign the guest book at www.mossfeasterclearwater.com