Nicholas John Casino

Nicholas John Casino, 89, of Pembroke Pines, passed away suddenly on Sunday, January 1, 2017 in hospital after complications from a brief illness. Nicholas was born October 27, 1927 in Linden, New Jersey, however, he resided in south Florida for better than fifty years. He is preceded in death by his wife Anna, his siblings, Joseph and Amy, his father, Joseph Casino and mother Eleanor Rotundo-Casino. Nicholas is survived by his two sons, John Casino and wife Deborah and Gary Casino. He was grandfather to four grandchildren, Elizabeth Casino-Day and husband Charles Day, Joseph Casino, Rose Casino-Fries and husband Ernest Fries, John M. Casino and wife Martha. Nicholas also had four great-grandchildren, two great-grandsons, Robert and Joshua Casino, and two great-granddaughters, Gwynevere and Avienda Fries.

Nicholas was a World War II veteran in the Army of the United States from 1946 to 1948. He served with the 11th Airborne as an Anti-Tank Crewman and was stationed in Japan. He also became a certified paratrooper with the 187th Glider Infantry and performed guard duty. He was honorably discharged after becoming disabled from injury. He was awarded the World War II Victory Ribbon and the Army Occupation Ribbon. We will always be honored and grateful for his service.

In civilian life, Nicholas worked at several different occupations. From a utility boy and leather cutter at a book-binding factory in Elizabeth, New Jersey before entering the military, to a mechanic and manager at Standard Oil for many, many years afterwards. Later in life and up until his death, he was one of the long time managers at a Pembroke Pines apartment complex, at first with his wife Anna and later after her death, with his youngest son Gary. He also worked for a time with his oldest son John and wife Deborah at their family's glass company in Hollywood. He enjoyed collecting coins and currency, reading and collecting comics and watching movies, especially vintage films. He was a "Mechanic's Illustrated" enthusiast and was a fan of the martial arts.

We now gather together to say a sorrowful, yet fond farwell to this beloved man. Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and the patriarch of our family who was always patient, loving and kind. Nicholas was quite simply, a good man, a simple man, a man without guile, he never put on airs but was always generous of spirit with a faithful heart, he literally was a "salt of the earth" individual. We celebrate his life and were so blessed because he was a part of all of ours. Our lives shine brighter just because of the love he reflected onto us. As human beings our time on this earth is so finite and fleeting; over in the blink of an eye. Always we are left longing to have spent more time with those now gone from us, who are now beyond the veil of death, separated forever from us in this life. Every memory we have of them now sweeter and more precious with passing time. We believe that Nicholas is now at peace and in a better place. We ask our Father, God to receive and hold his precious soul close to him for eternity. Until we meet again.

We wish to invite anyone who knew Nicholas and would like to spend time or bid a personal farewell to join our family on Saturday, January 7, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM for Visitation and Service at Fred Hunter's Funeral Home located at 6301 Taft Street, Hollywood, FL. Other than Visitation and Farewell Services, all other arrangements are private.

The family asks that instead of flowers and in keeping with Nicholas' simple and generous spirit that donations be made to a disabled veterans charity of your choice.