Charles Casamo

Charles C. Casamo, 90, of 476 41st Avenue, St. Pete Beach, Fla. and a summer resident of Blowing Rock, NC died Saturday (Sept. 29, 2006) at Blowing Rock Hospital.

Born as Rosario, but known as Charles Carl Casamo, he was the first born son of his parents who came to America at the turn of the century. His father Anthony came from Sicily and his mother Hilda from Norway.

Mr. Casamo was born Oct. 15, 1915 in New York City. He would become one of 43 first cousins in his family, including those in Europe. At a young age he became a guiding light to the siblings who followed him, William, John, Helen Marie, Anthony and Gloria. He was a sterling example of a kind and gentle man who helped others continually throughout his life.

He volunteered for the American Red Cross during the war years and had served in many social and religious organizations throughout his life, including the Masonic Temple. He was a member of the Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock and the Passe- A-Grille Community Church in St. Pete Beach, Fla. In recent years he had been a financial consultant for senior citizens, assisting them with taxes.

Educated as a ceramic engineer from Alfred University he was scouted by the Sylvania Electric Company as a scholarship student with honors. He remained working for Sylvania throughout his professional career until retirement in 1973. Throughout the years of World War II, he did defense work for Sylvania.

He was married to Beulah Marie Moore of Emporium for over sixty years. She is well known as "Bea." They lived in Emporium for more than thirty years. She survives and is now a resident of St. Petersburg Beach, Fla.

They have one daughter, Carol Marie Bonarigo and husband, Dr. Ben Bonarigo of Tarpon Springs, Fla.; two sons, Robert Carl Casamo and wife Mary Ann of Austin and Richard Charles Casamo of St. Pete Beach, Fla. They have three granddaughters, Gina Bonarigo of Tampa; Lisa Cupelli of Hernando and Kelsey Casamo of Seminole; two grandsons, Anthony Casamo of Nashville and Charles Daniel Casamo of Seminole; one greatgranddaughter, Sabrina Cupelli of Hernando, Fla.; two step granddaughters, Patti Poulopoulos and Lori Heggenstaller; two step grandsons, Marc and Britt Bonarigo. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

His brother William also survives, with his wife Eileen in Alexandria, VA., and his sister Gloria Casamo Mabie and her husband Barrie of Scarsdale, NY. He also is survived by a sister-in-law, Angelina Casamo of Clearwater, Fla. and Eveline Casamo of CA.

A memorial service for Mr. Charles Casamo was conducted Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2006, at Rumple Memorial

Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock. Officiating was Pastor Larry Lyon. A second memorial service will be conducted at the Passe-A-Grill Church, St. Petersburg Beach, Fla. That date will later be announced. Interment will be in the Pass-A-Grill Columbarium in St. Pete Beach, Fla.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church, 121 Main Street, Blowing Rock NC, 28605.