NUNZIO CASSARA

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE DONATE IN HIS NAME TO: SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN www.shrinerschildrens.org OR TO: BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF AMERICA www.bgca.org MEMORIAL VISITATION: SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2023 1PM TO 3PM STICKLE-SOLTESZ FUNERAL HOME PRAYER SERVICE: SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2023 3PM STICKLE-SOLTESZ FUNERAL HOME Nunzio Cassara, 58, of Oak Ridge, New Jersey, passed away on January 18, 2023. Nunzio was born in Gela, Sicily to Cristoforo and Natalina Cassara. He immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of 9, settling in Brooklyn, NY. He met Alice Conti at the age of 12 and shortly thereafter declared - with his typical confidence - that he would marry her. On July 21,1989 in Brooklyn, NY, he proved prescient, promising to spend the rest of his life’s ups and downs with Alice Cassara. After graduating from the New York Restaurant School (now the Art Institute) in 1987, Nunzio began his professional career at the Plaza Hotel, an iconic New York destination. Throughout his career, Nunzio worked for a number of restaurants and hotels, rising to become an Executive Chef. In 2016, Nunzio pursued his lifelong dream of opening his own restaurant, Nunzio's Dolce Vita. Italian for sweet life, dolce vita alludes to the only way he knew how to live: with joy. Everyone who cooked in Nunzio’s kitchen or ate in his dining room felt his love and passion. Though he made many meals throughout his career, the most important were celebrating with his family. In his free time, Nunzio loved sports, cards, watching movies with his wife, whom he cherished, and teasing his son, who he was so proud of. He played recreational ice hockey for the Gitler’s Gorillas into adulthood, and remained a devoted Yankees and Giants fan until his passing. One of his life’s great joys was coaching his son’s youth baseball team, the Patriots, where he blended patient teaching with ill-fated attempts at humor. Nunzio treasured Friday card nights with his friends, and was renowned for his fierce (some might say brutal) tactics in Monopoly. Movie night with Alice was a staple, though Nunzio often displayed his enthusiasm via snores. Nunzio is predeceased by his father Cristoforo Cassara. He is survived by his loving wife Alice of 33 years, his son Daniel, his mother Natalina Cassara, his parents-in-law Sally and Ray Conti, his siblings, and his nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to his memorial visitation on January 28, 2023 from 1pm to 3pm with a prayer service at 3pm at the at Stickle-Soltesz Funeral Home, 187 La Rue Road, Newfoundland, NJ 07435. In lieu of flowers, please donate in his name to Shriners Hospitals for Children; www.shrinerschildrens.org or to Boys & Girls Club of America; www.bgca.org On line condolences and directions: www.sticklesolteszfuneralhome.com.

NUNZIO CASSARA

April 30, 1964 - January 18, 2023