Dennis Raymond Cassia, 73, of Monroe, passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Cassia was born on November 11, 1951 to Vincenzio and Violandi Cassia in White Plains, N.Y. He is survived by a brother James Cassia, sister Judy Cassia, daughter Jennifer Costello, son Brian Cassia, granddaughters Hailey Linask and Katie Costello and wife Kimberly Cassia, as well as various cousins, nieces and nephews.
Dennis became interested in astronomy at an early age and began photographing celestial events and became a comet hunter and eclipse chaser. Several of his photographs were published in Sky & Telescope. His father built an observatory in his backyard, so he could pursue his hobby.
He attended his first Stellafane Convention in Springfield, Vt., in 1970 and went every year. Cassia became a full member of the club after completing his mirror and helped prepare and take on various tasks for the annual convention.
He and his wife, Kim, presented a program “Stellafane for Beginners.” A few highlights from Stellafane were meeting the Meteorite Men and astronaut, Allen Bean.
Cassia was one of the experts on the 2017 solar eclipse flight organized by his dear friend Joe Rao. He and his wife traveled with Joe to see an eclipse at sea, a meteorite shower in the Island of Lanzarote among other travels.
He graduated from Byram Hills High School in Armonk, N.Y., and went on to Case Institute of Technology (now known as Case Western Reserve University) where he graduated. In 1975 he made the Dean’s Honor List and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi.
He taught biology, chemistry and earth science at Rye Neck High School in Mamaroneck, N.Y., for seven years and began his dream job of firefighter in 1985 with the Stratford Fire Department. Cassia rose through the ranks of lieutenant to assistant chief. He believed in leading by example.
Cassia joined the Pleasantville Engine Company in 1975 and was the first member to become a driver in all four companies. He was the first department training officer, secretary Board of Commissioners, and radiation control officer for Westchester County.
He joined Monroe Volunteer Fire Department in 1985 and rose through the ranks from lieutenant, captain, 2nd assistant chief, safety officer and was the first chief’s aide. Cassia was the department training officer for 10 years.
He has been a member of the Fairfield County Haz Mat team for 25 years, and an adjunct instructor for fire chemistry at the University of New Haven. Certified in FF1, FF2, FF3, FSI-1, FSI-2, FO-1, FO-2, ISO, HSO, Pump Operator, Aerial Operator and Hazardous Materials Technician.
Cassia was a Connecticut Fire Academy instructor for over 35 years, teaching classes in the instructor, officer, hazmat programs as well as teaching aerial operator, pump operator or whatever was needed. He was the chief instructor of the instructor programs.
Cassia was an adjunct instructor for the National Fire Academy teaching chemistry of hazardous materials and instructor for hazardous materials contingency planning.
He was the Monroe Volunteer Firefighter of the Year, Fireman of the Year, and the Fairfield County Fire Chiefs Emergency Plan Firefighter of the Year.
Cassia received the Public Service Award from the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department on November 20, 2009; the Public Service Award from Stratford on June 12, 2006; Stratford Unit Citations on November 3, 2007 and November 21, 2008; the Uniformed Professional Firefighter of CT certificate of Appreciation for outstanding dedication and excellence in advancing ideals of the professional fire service on November 20, 2009, and was a Life Member of the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department.
Cassia earned the honor of being inducted into the Connecticut State Firefighters Association (CSFA) Hall of Fame in 2023.
He earned his Private Pilot License (PPL) and flew Cessnas, in addition to being a Jump Master when skydiving.
Cassia loved history, the “Three Stooges,” “Honeymooners,” “BBQ Pitmasters,” “Finding Big Foot” and “The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch,” the “Joe & Joe Weather Show,” and had a love/hate relationship with the Mets.
A visitation for Dennis Cassia will be held Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike. A funeral service will be held during the visitation at noon.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Stellafane – The Springfield Telescope Makers, P.O. Box 601, Springfield, VT 05156.
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