ROCHELLE — Vincenzo Cassola, 75, Rochelle, passed away Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Serenity Home in Oregon, surrounded by his family.
Vince was born to Joseph and Leanarda (Biundo) Cassola in Cinisi, PA Sicily on May 6, 1942. There were six brothers and sisters in all.
He first migrated to the United States at the age of 14, and he took his first job at Cabrini Green Hospital in Chicago, mopping floors and learning to speak English. Some years later, he eventually went back to Sicily and married Angela Badalamenti of Cinisi in 1964. Shortly thereafter, they came back to the United States where they settled in Chicago. A few years later in 1967, they moved to Rochelle and opened Vince’s Pizza.
Vince loved playing with his grandchildren the most, enjoyed his big garden, making house wine in the basement of their home, loved cooking; he loved cars, antique ones and of course all the fast ones. He lived life to the fullest. He believed in working hard and playing hard, and always was generous to everyone he met.
His parents and one brother, Joseph Cassola, preceded him in death.
Vince is survived by Angela; his three daughters, Cynthia (Alan) Sarrafian of Des Plaines, Josephine (Don) Cassola-Brown of Palatine and Vittoria Love of Naperville; six grandchildren, Joshua, Gavan, Valentina, Isabella, Sam and Sofia; siblings, Tony Cassola, Leonardo Cassola, Nicoletta Campanella and Josephine Cassola; as well as many loyal customers of Vince’s Pizza.
The visitation will be from 3 – 9 p.m. on Monday, May 22 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. Sixth Street, Rochelle. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 23 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery. A memorial will be established.
Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.