Obituary of Ronald Casadei

Ronald “Ron” Casadei   

1941– 2023

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       A Veteran Has Died Today

Ronald “Ron” Casadei, 82, of Rome, passed away on Tuesday August 15, 2023, at Rome Health with his family and friends by his side, with chronic lung disease as a result of his Military Service and exposure to Agent Orange. He was born in Rome, New York on July 28, 1941, son of the late Nello and Mary Vescio Casadei. On May 23, 1980 Ron and Mary Anne were married at the Zion Episcopal Church in Rome, a blessed union of 43 years. They were introduced by Mary’s father at the 1978 Department Convention held in Syracuse, and have been together ever since.

Ron joined the US Army in September of 1963. He completed basic training at Ft Dix New Jersey and went to pilot school in San Antonio Texas. Ron was deployed to Viet Nam in 1965, and was assigned to the 1^St Calvary Unit as a Med-Evac Pilot. (“1^St In Last Out”). He flew the Huey Helicopters and was Honorably Discharged in 1966. Following his military service Ron was an Engineer with the 485^th Engineering and Installation at Griffiss AFB, retiring in 1995 after 33 years of Federal service. Ron served as the Director of the Oneida County Veterans Service Agency for 10 years, retiring in 2005.

 He was the former Vice Chairman of the Foreign Relations Council, and National Security Vice Chairman, Communications Media Council, and Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Council, as well as the Department Historian for the American Legion. Ron was a PUFL of the American Legion Henry P. Smith Post #24.

Locally, Ron became a member of the American Legion in 1977, where he held offices at Post level to include Post Commander, County Adjutant. On the County level, he served in many capacities including County Commander. Ron was a member of the Selective Service Commission, Commissioner of the Rome Civil service Commission, former King Lion of the Rome Lions Club, Rome Rotary Club and the Rome Elks Club and Henry P. Smith Post #24 American Legion. He was the Fifth Ward Councilor in Rome for 6 years.

Surviving besides his devoted wife Mary Anne are a daughter and son-in-law, Annette Casadei Dubonnet and Eugene “Geno” Dubonnet, grandchildren; Jordan Meier (the light of his life, “Papa’s little soldier”), Julieann Dubonnet and Jesse Stockbridge. Also surviving is a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Pearl Casadei, Brothers-in-law Frank (Mary) Smith, and Michael O’Rourke, sisters-in-law, Kathleen (James) O’Rourke as well as several beloved nieces and nephews. Ron also leaves behind his “Harem”, Dee Swinney, Donna Pekola, Jeannine Damon and Pat Lamandia, who all remained at his side when he passed, dear friends Doug and Jan Singleton, Doug and Peggy Martin, and Debbie Morris, his faithful canine companions, Doris Day, Dolly Madison and Ginger Lynn. He was predeceased by his parents, Nello and Mary Casadei, infant son, Ronald Casadei, brothers and sisters-in-law, Joe and Marie Casadei and Richard “Dick” (Alice) Casadei, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Frank L. Smith Sr., and Alvera Smith, sisters-in-law, Audrey O’Rourke, Rose Menter, and niece Lisa O’Rourke.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday August 19, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 East Dominick Street, Rome N.Y. with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may call at Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., Rome, on Friday August 18, 2023 from 4 – 7 p.m..

On Friday during calling hours, The Henry P. Smith Post #24 American Legion will gather at 5:00 p.m., and the Past Commanders Club at 5:30 p.m., with the Legion Family to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ron’s name to the Henry P. Smith Post #24 American Legion Building Fund, 325 Erie Blvd. West, Rome, N.Y. 13440.

Arrangements are by the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., Rome, N.Y.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com.