Richard L. " Dick" Cassani

Richard L. “Dick” Cassani,66, passed peacefully away in the early morning hours of July 31, at the Baptist Hospital, holding the hand of his beloved sister, Cindy. It was the end of his brave two-year battle with Stage IV cancer, that took away everything, except his easy-going sense of humor and gentle way of accepting life. Born on April 25, 1958, in Norfolk, VA., he was the fourth child of Capt. Henry L Cassani and Florence Radford Cassani, late of Pensacola, FL. They would add three more siblings for him, creating what has always been known as “The Lucky 7”. Living the Navy life, he moved with his family too many times to count, always finding friends and a new place to fish. Dick graduated from Weymouth South High School, ’76, in Weymouth MA, and immediately moved to Port St Joe, where his parents retired. He attended Gulf Coast Community College for Hotel and Hospitality Management before joining the US Navy in 1978. Dick continued his travels while serving as a Medical Corpsman at sea. He earned the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. When his time was up, he returned to Pensacola, to the white sands and Gulf waters that were in his blood. Dick loved to cook and was a skilled grill master, gathering family and friends to feed them all. His beef ribs were legendary. He worked in restaurant and hotel management for most of his career, finishing as the Director of Maintenance for the Fairfield Inn in Pensacola. With a paintbrush or some tools in his hand, he could work his magic with care and ability that was much appreciated. His cribbage board was always open to anyone who thought they could beat him, and his deep laugh could be heard as he was stealing points from his opponent. He loved all sports, was introduced to boxing by “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, a family friend, and hung out at his gym in MA, loved the Boston Red Sox, FSU football, the Saints, southern rock and jazz music. And frogs, the sound of tree frogs at night was his lullaby. He also had an enormous collection of frog statues. Dick always said he “hit the lottery” when his son, Christopher, was born. They had a shared love of music and loved to attend concerts and festivals together. He loved to follow Chris and his band to gigs and was their biggest fan. In the past year, Dick moved to a trailer on his son’s property in Cantonment to spend time together. His brothers and sisters swarmed him with company and “surprises”, as he came to know the non-stop package deliveries. Dick is preceded in death by his parents, Capt. Henry L Cassani, and his mother, Florence Radford Cassani. Dick is survived by his beloved son, Christopher and his wife, Bethany, of Cantonment. He is also survived by the remaining Lucky 7, his brother, Rick Cassani of Chesapeake, VA, sister Sharon Clarke and husband Ron, of Plymouth, MA, sister Susan Andrews and husband David, of Plymouth, MA, sister Cindy Cassani of Mexico Beach, brother Mike Cassani and wife Lisa, of Lakeville, MA, and brother Capt. John Cassani (USN-RET) and wife Vicky, of Va. Beach, VA. He is also survived by 16 nieces and nephews who knew him to be the best guy on the beach. Dick is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and great-nieces and nephews from coast to coast. He lived his life by his motto “it’s all good”, even when faced with devasting disease. The Lynard Skynyrd lyrics to “Simple man”, his favorite song, sums him up well, “Take your time, don’t live too fast, troubles will come and they will pass…And be a simple kind of man, be something you love and understand” Interment will be at Barrancas National Cemetery on Monday, August 26 at 2:30 pm. Please meet at the Olive Baptist Church at 2:00 for a procession to the cemetery. Olive Baptist Church is at 103 West Winthrop Avenue (Warrington) Pensacola. Donations in his memory may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 91 Radford Blvd., Pensacola, or the cancer charity of your choice.

Tributes

Richard L. " Dick" Cassani

April 25, 1958 - July 31, 2024