Alfred P. “Fritz” Cassella, 94, widower of Rose (Sekscenski) Cassella since 2001, of New Britain, passed away unexpectedly on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013 at the Southington Care Center. Alfred was born August 25, 1918 in New Britain, was son to the late Louis and Anna (Diemente) Cassella, attended local schools and was a lifetime resident. He was the owner and operator of Cassella’s Package Store for 39 years retiring in 1984. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, was active in all sports and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
He proudly served during WWII in the U.S. Army, enlisting in Co. I Feb. 22, 1941 in New Britain, was inducted federal service Feb. 24, 1941, he served at Camp Blanding, Fla., Camp Shelby, Miss., and Fort Ord, California. Alfred served combats zones in the south pacific, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Russell Islands, Rendova, Munda and Vella La Vella in the New Georgia Islands, New Guinea and Philippines. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon with 4 battle stars for Guadacandal, Northern Solomons, New Guinea, Luzon and Philippine Islands, also awarded Philippine Liberation Ribbon with service star, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters, Presidential unit citation. He received a Battlefield Commission May, 1945 at Luzon, Philippines and was honorably discharged Sept. 1945 at Ft. Devens, Mass. He was a two term city Alderman, two term chairman of the Board of water commissioners, six year member of the Board of Directors Indian Hill Country Club, Newington and was a past Commander of the 169th Infantry Veterans Corps. and lifetime member of the VFW. He was also the recipient of Central Connecticut State University 1992 Veteran Public Service Award for Excellence in military, civilian and community service and named veteran of the year in 1992 by the New Britain Veterans Council for furthering the cause of veterans and their dependents.
He is survived and will be dearly missed by his children; his son, Alfred Cassella and his wife Phyllis Cassella of Newington, two daughters: Susan Wanat and her husband Louis of Suffield and Lori Primich and her husband George of Berlin, his five precious grandchildren: Michael Cassella and his fiancé Suzie Kubis, Jennifer Wanat, Jay Wanat and his wife Sylwia, George Primich Jr. and Daniel Primich, one great granddaughter; Giada Cassella, a sister in law; Felice Cassella, and many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by a brother; Joseph Cassella and a sister Rose Nash.
Funeral services will begin Friday, April 5, 2013 at 9:00am from New Britain Memorial Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave., New Britain followed by the Funeral Service at 10:00am in St. Jerome Church. Burial with full military honors will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation hours will be held Thursday, April 4, 2013 from 3-7pm at the funeral home. Memorial donations may also be made to the Wounded Warrior Project,P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or visit link below attached.
The family would also like to thank his caregivers Margaret and John and the staff of Southington Care Center. For directions or to extend messages, please visit www.newbritainsagarino.com.
https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=72&campaignSource=WEBSITE&source=HONOR
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