Dino Carlo Casali

FUNERAL SERVICES HAVE BEEN CHANGED, PER THE FAMILY'S REQUEST.... PLEASE SEE BELOW.....

Dino Carlo Casali passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 13th, 2017. He was the devoted husband of Corinne “Corky” (Zoli) Casali, the love of his life to whom he was married to for 62 years. Dino was born on September 24th, 1929, in Torrington, to the late Carlo and Giovanna (Guarnieri) Casali. Dino was the only American-born member of a family of hardworking Italian immigrants. A self-made man, Dino quickly adapted to American life. From age 7 to 15 he delivered the Torrington Register to 40 residents of the Hillside Avenue area. From this he learned the fundamental values of self-discipline, consistency, accountability, and friendliness. All of these values helped lay a solid foundation for his later successes in life.

He was educated in the Torrington Public Schools and was a graduate of THS class of 1947. His higher education included the school of commerce of New York University and Babson College in Wellesley, Mass. He graduated from Babson in 1951 with highest distinction with a B.S. in investments and then earned an MBA in Corporate Finance from New York University.

Dino served in the Strategic Air Command of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War 1951-1956 as a navigator on a B-29 super fortress bomber. He also served as a navigator on a KC-97 aerial refueling Stratotanker. After an honorable discharge in 1956, he went on to serve in the active US Air Force reserves for another nine years. He achieved the rank of captain.

His professional career got an early start in 1945 when he was a high school student and was employed as a part time order and margin clerk by Fahnestock & Co., (now known as Oppenheimer & Co.), investment brokers in Torrington, CT. This employment completely changed the direction of his professional objectives and he made the decision to devote his life to the field of investments. Robert A. Bligh, then the manager of Fahnstock, and his wife, Alice, were faithful supporters and mentors in Dino’s life for many years.

Soon after his discharge from the US Air Force in 1956, he was employed as a Security Analyst in the Advisory & Research department of Fahnestock & Co. in New York City, and retained this position until 1958 when he returned to the Fahnestock office in Torrington as a stock broker. He went on to become manager, and eventually a partner of the firm. With his official retirement in 2016 he ended a continuous employment with one firm for 58 years.

In 2003, Dino established the Mae Casali Bonvicini Charitable Foundation which has supported many local and national health, educational, and religious organizations. The success of the foundation was a source of great satisfaction for Dino because the recipients all were committed to helping people in need.

His passions were his family, classical music, the foundation, and the beaches and settlements in the Florida panhandle.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Corinne (Zoli) Casali of Litchfield, and four children, David and April Casali of Glastonbury, CT, Paul and Donna Casali of Litchfield, Dina and Chip Peebles of Memphis, TN, and Carla and Michael Gnitzcavich of Torrington, CT. In addition, he leaves seven grandchildren, Mark and Jennifer Casali, James and Corinne Casali, Quinn and Emma Peebles, and Michael Gnitzcavich. Dino was predeceased by his parents, a brother, August Casali, and a sister, Mae Casali Bonvicini.

Mr. Casali's funeral services have been CHANGED, to PRIVATE, at the family's convenience.  Per Mr. Casali's wishes, there will be NO PUBLIC SERVICES.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Malta House, 5 Prowitt St., East Norwalk, CT 06855 or on-line at https://maltahouse.org/   Condolences may be sent to Dino’s family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com

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