Cesaro 'Chet' Casali

CESARO "CHET" CASALI

Cedar Rapids

Cesaro "Chet" Casali, 91, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, at Garnett Place. Services with military rites will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. There will be a visitation from 11 a.m. until service time at Cedar Memorial Park State Room. Entombment at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Survivors include a daughter, Julie (Frank) Bellon of Cedar Rapids; two sons, Michael (Diane) of Darien, Ill., and John (Vicki) of Cedar Rapids; and two brothers, Salvatore of Skokie, Ill., and Patrick of Prospect Heights, Ill. He also is survived by four grandchildren, Jacob (Maggie), Gianna, Micael, and Malia; one great-grandchild, Barrett; and many nieces and nephews.

Chet was born Dec. 3, 1927, in Chicago, the son of Vincent and Josephine (Fratantonio) Casali. He married Helen Wilson on July 28, 1950, in Cedar Rapids. Helen passed away in 2000.

Chet worked at Heritage E.R.A. and for Skogman Realty as a realtor for several years. He was later the executive director at the YMCA for 21 years, retiring in 2000.

Chet was the Iowa State handball champion of two years. He enjoyed golf and woodworking. He was a member of the Marine Corps League, American Legion and the Iowa High School Athletic Association. He proudly served in the Marine Corps.

Chet will forever be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.

"The family would like to thank Tina, Lee and the staff at Garnett Place for the wonderful care given to Chet."

Memorial donations may be given to Coe College. Please leave a message or tribute to the Casali family on the website www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.