Obituary of Pasquale A. Caseria

Coach Pat Pasquale Pat A. Caseria, age 86, beloved husband of Dorothy Bednarsky Caseria of Trumbull, passed away on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at St. Vincents Medical Center. A son of the late Leonard and Martha Caseria, he was born on November 18, 1925 in Stratford. Mr. Caseria graduated from Harding High School, class of 1944. While attending Harding, Pat was a standout football player as a quarterback and halfback. He went on to serve in the United States Army during World War II. As a PFC, he served in Germany with the 45th Division. While stationed at Camp Blanding, Florida, with the 63rd Regiment, he was undefeated in boxing and received the Golden Gloves. After his discharge from the Army, Pat continued his education attending Arnold College and resumed playing football, receiving honors for playing both offense and defense. He received a BS degree in Physical Education in 1951 and later received a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Bridgeport. He continued playing football in Semi-Professional leagues with the championship team Bridgeport Ramblers. He taught 5th grade at Wilcoxson School in Stratford before becoming the Physical Education teacher and Varsity Football Coach at Stratford High School. During the summers in the 1950s and 60s he was a camp director at the Italian Community Center Day Camp in Newtown.He was also the assistant baseball coach for 13 years. During that time they won two State Championships. He was the Varsity Football Coach for 22 years, from 1960 to 1982. During that time they achieved 4 CIAC State Merritt Awards, 3 MBIAC Championships, had 2 undefeated seasons, and had been named several times in the top ten state rankings. Pat was named MBIAC and Fairfield County Coach of The Year, as well as the New York Daily News Coach of the Year. He was also recognized by Whos Who in High School Football in 1973 as Coach of the Year for the Eastern United States. Pat also had the thrill of seeing 5 of his former athletes play in the NFL with two of them on winning Super Bowl teams. Pat once made a statement Ive been in the best profession in the world, working with young people. Pat was inducted into the Harding High School Hall of Fame as well as the Stratford High School Hall of Fame. Pat always professed FAIR AND HONEST PLAY, GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND RESPECT FOR ALL. He will be remembered as a kind, gentle man who was always willing to help his family and friends. We will all miss you coach. In addition to his wife Dorothy of 61 years, survivors include his four children, Linda Caseria of Bridgeport, Leonard Caseria of Trumbull, Patrick Caseria of Trumbull and Phillip Caseria of Shelton, a grandson, Phillip Caseria Jr., a brother Leonard Caseria of Bridgeport as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, Phillip M. Caseria. Funeral Information Friends are invited to meet directly in St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main St., Trumbull on Tuesday, Aug.14, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Michaels Cemetery, Stratford. Family and friends may call on Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.