Obituary of Stephen Casale

Ignazio “Stephen” Casale, 83, of Manchester, passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2023.  The fourth of five children, Stephen was born in Brooklyn, New York. He later raised his family in both Valley Stream, NY and Allentown, New Jersey. He was a true entrepreneur at heart and embarked on many business ventures during his lifetime. He owned and operated Casale Tile and Country Doughnut shops with his brother Benny and started an oil and gas well drilling company in West Virginia. Later in life he started another business and mastered automotive restoration and painting.  He was a deeply religious man who was very active both in his church and in helping those in need. He started a foundation called Love of Christ that was focused on feeding the hungry and volunteered much of his time in food pantries throughout his life.  His faith and family were extremely important to him, and he was most proud of his children and grandchildren.

Stephen was predeceased and welcomed into eternal peace by his parents John and Mary Casale; daughter Joyce Katz (nee Casale); sister Catherine Michelini (nee Casale); and brothers Ralph Peter Vecchi and Antonio Casale. He is survived by his children David Casale (Renee) of Boca Raton, FL and John Casale (Shannon) of West Creek, NJ; his brother Benedetto Casale (Christina) of Staten Island NY; son-in-law Dr. Alan Katz (Chappaqua, NY); and his grandchildren Brittany, Danielle, Elana, Kristi, Jillian, Lyla, Samantha, Henry, Chris, Alyce, Jennifer, Danielle, as well as 11 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to visit on Tuesday, June 27, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Freeman Manalapan Marlboro Funeral Home, 344 Route 9 North. A funeral liturgy will be held on Wednesday, June 28 at 11:00am at St. Gabriel's Historic Church located at 549 Route 520 Marlboro, NJ 07746. Interment will follow at St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery located at 1 Honey Locust Dr. Lakewood, NJ 08701.

Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to Our Daily Bread food pantry at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Country Road 539, Whiting, NJ 08759 or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. To leave condolences or find directions, visit www.freemanfuneralhomes.com.