Nearly one thousand attend funeral for Carmine Cassese
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Cars filled the parking lots and side streets around St. Dominic's Church on the city's south side, where Carmen Cassese was born and went to school.
Nearly one thousand people attended the funeral to celebrate the life and memory of Cassese.
Cassese was the third generation owner of the MVR Restaurant and long-time equipment manager for the YSU football team. He was 57 years old. Former
Former YSU coach Jim Tressell was among the honorary pallbearers.
Bishop of the Youngstown Diocese, The Most Reverend George Murry, Saint Dominic's pastor, Father Gregory Maturi and other priests also took part in the service.
Cassese's two sons, Joseph and Frank Cassese eulogized their father, remembering him as a man whose love of family went far beyond his home and into his community.
Youngstown police were on hand to help a long funeral procession make it's way to St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Coitsville, where Cassese was laid to rest.
Photos in the program reflect his love for his wife Patty and their family.
"He really was a very humble guy, but a very popular guy, a very friendly guy. And he was all about his family and the work they were doing in the city of Youngstown," says former county commissioner John McNally.
"It's really hard to be too sad because this is such a tribute to my dad. This is unbelievable, it really is," says son Frank Cassese.
Son, Joe Cassese, said his father lived by the words of his favorite quote, which was posted on the bulletin board in his office.
"The quote read, 'It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice,'" says Joe Cassese.
"Even to the day he died, he never, ever dwelled on the negative and the grace that he went by is what I will live by for the rest of my life," he says.