Ernest J. Cassella

Ernest James Cassella – born in New Haven, CT on 30 July 1921, Ernie went on to meet his wife Nancy, brother Vincent and sisters Pauline, Rose, Rita, and Margaret, along with his old pals, on 16 April 2024.
Writing about a loved one’s life lived is always difficult. Writing about Ernie’s live lived is almost impossible. He lived ever day of his 102- and three-quarter year-old life with a clear purpose. And to know what that purpose was you only had to ask him his secret to longevity - he always answered with the same two words, “Be kind”.  And anyone who knew, worked with, or even just hung out with him knew that was not just lip service. That was exactly how he lived his life.
Born in New Haven Connecticut to Michele Cassella and Margherita Maffeo Cassella, Ernie served in the Air Force in World War II.  He always told the story of how, after he was discharged, while walking down a New Haven street, he was “recruited” to New Haven State Teacher’s College (SCSU) and once enrolled was recruited by “Mr. Dow” to start a football team. He joked about how you made the squad just by coming to practice, how they played on “astro-gravel”, how they had to borrow shirts from Yale for their first game (and how one guy’s shirt numbered 88 was so big that by the time he tucked it all in his pants he was 00), and how he beat out a woman for the quarterback position.  
Ernie’s sense of humor never quit and he always had a one-liner for the answer to the question “How are you?”. And as he aged the one-liners changed with the decades. In his 80’s he’d say he was “Fine. Fine like oooold wine”. In his 90s he “was on top of the grass”. In his hundreds if you asked him how he felt the reply was always “with my hands”.  
He also touched generations of people through his career in education. As a teacher then a principal and then as the Director of School Personnel for the City of New Haven, Ernie taught, mentored, and even housed some of the teachers he recruited.  His daughter remembers coming home one day from school to meet Maritza and Awilda  who he had recruited from Puerto Rico to teach in New Haven. They would stay with the family until they got on their feet because, well above all, be kind.
Of course, there are too many accomplishments and moments and encounters in a century of life to list in an obituary, so may we all, as an homage to Ernest, simply take those two words and live lives, and leave legacies, of kindness.
Ernest was predeceased by Nancy (Nuzzo) his wife of 72 years and by his brother Vincent and sisters Pauline, Rose, Rita, and Margaret.
He is survived by his four children, Michael (Dona), Ernest (Dina), Paul, and Maggie (Josée), his grandchildren Michael David Cassella (Susan Tardiff) Kate Cassella Mollica (Mark Mollica), Christopher Cassella, Samuel Quinnipiac Cassella, Thomas Cassella, Michael Christopher Cassella, and Eliza Cassella as well as his great three great grandchildren (Kate Mollica).
Extended special family include Martin “Marty” J. Dunleavy and Peggy Heatherington.
It really takes a village to care for a centenarian, so please read on as we acknowledge the folks who supported Ernest.
A special thank you to cousins Elaine McDunnah, Ann Ellen (Watermelon) Goldfinger, Nurse Carissa Sharatt and family friend Mary Parcella, for their support and guidance.
An additional special thanks to the administrative staff, caregivers, engagement, dining and all staff at Silverado Memory Care in Bellingham, Washington. Their constant attention and care kept Ernest engaged and showered with love and kindness these last four years.  In no particular order thank you to Leticia “No Capisci” McCallum, Ali Mitchell, Leah Van Beek, Laura Printy, Cati Smith, Constance Lindsay, Susan Sim Portrey. Salome Wolters, Manjinder Kaur, Shimpy Kashayap, Jamie Rexhausen, Erin Lunde, Kay Nagra, Brian Campbell, Hannah Westcott, Nancy Evans, and Sharon Mayson.  We hope you feel showered in gratitude for your never-ending support. He truly loved you all and felt your kindness deep in his heart.  
Finally, thank you to those who spent time by Ernie’s side during his final hours. Dina, Quinn, Gail McPherson Kenny, the St. Joseph’s Hospital nursing staff and the Whatcom Hospice nursing staff, social workers, clergy, and beautiful death doula Linda Diebert who kept vigil by his side surrounding him with love, kindness, Cole Porter and Sinatra to the end.
A memorial service for Ernest and Nancy (whose service was postponed due to Covid lockdown) will be held on Monday, April 29 at 11am at the Church of the Assumption in Woodbridge, CT. Interment will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery in West Haven. Donations in Ernest’s name to any organization supporting education initiatives are encouraged.

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