Ronald Henry Cassellius was born to eternal life on August 26, 2016 at Sunrise Assisted Living of Roseville after a journey with Alzheimer's disease. He was 80.
Ron was born on July 6, 1936 in St. Paul to Henry and Anna (Pyne) Cassellius. He was the loving brother of Philip Cassellius, Beverly Raasch and Patrick Laughren. Ron grew up in the Frogtown neighborhood of St. Paul. He graduated from St. Agnes High School in 1954 and was a member of the 1953 Hall of Fame football team.
He married Joyce O'Brien on June 23, 1956 in St. Paul. They celebrated more than 58 years of marriage and welcomed seven children, 15 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.
Ron was a very committed and active member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in St. Paul Park. He lived in Cottage Grove for over 50 years and worked at MnDot for 44 years in a variety of roles. He was a part-time fashion model, a full time role model, and a father figure to many.
Ron could fix absolutely anything and served as a meticulous handyman on countless projects for his family and friends. He enjoyed scuba diving, boating, and traveling the world with his wife, children and grandchildren - for whom he was the greatest playmate.
He is survived by his children, Mark (Cynthia) of Onalaska, Wisconsin; Sharon (Bryan) Kampa of Elk River; Michele "Shelly" of Cottage Grove; Steven (Sally) of Richfield; Martin (Lisa) of Bloomington; Bonnie ("Rod") Karas of Cottage Grove; and Jason (Brenda) of Minneapolis.
Ron is also survived by his grandchildren: Amanda (Thomas) Dale, and great grandchildren Rachel, Ryan and Julia, of Woodbridge, Virginia; Brescia (Joseph) Berg, and great granddaughter Grace, of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin; Zachary Kampa, stationed at Camp Darby, Italy; Christian Alston, Charlie and Ani of Minneapolis; Sadie (Christopher) Adderley, and great granddaughters Eleanor and Irene, of Bloomington; Sam, McKenna and Baylea Karas of Cottage Grove; Helen, Eva and Elsa of Bloomington; and Francisco and Gina of Richfield.
And he is survived by his half-brother Pat, siblings-in-law Marilyn Cassellius, James (Geraldine) O'Brien, William (Jane) O'Brien, Colleen (Daniel) Taft, Daniel (Barbara) O'Brien, Petra O'Brien and Kathleen Baldinelli O'Brien; and many nieces and nephews.
Ron was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, siblings Philip and Beverly, and siblings-in-law Diane and Donald O'Brien.
He was loved and will be missed.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, September 1 at Kok Funeral Home, 1201 Portland Avenue in St. Paul Park, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 2 at St. Thomas Aquinas, 920 Holley Avenue in St. Paul Park, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Father Tony Andrade will officiate. Interment at the church cemetery will be held at a later date.
If you wish to give a memorial in Ron's name please consider Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC, 20090 or Alz.org; or Activities Department at Sunrise Assisted Living, 2555 Snelling Avenue, Roseville, MN, 55113; or St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley Avenue, St. Paul Park, MN, 55071.
Visitation
Kok Funeral Home - Saint Paul Park
1201 Portland Avenue
Saint Paul Park, MN 55071
Thursday, September 1, 2016
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Service
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
920 Holley Avenue
St. Paul Park, MN 55071
Friday, September 2, 2016
11:00 AM