UPDATE: Funeral, calling hours planned for Carmine Cassese, long-time MVR owner

Funeral, calling hours planned for Carmine Cassese, long-time MVR owner

Carmine Cassese, 57, the retired Youngstown State University head equipment manager and popular, long-time business owner, died Friday. He was 57.

Jon Murphy, a long-time family friend and spokesman, confirmed that Cassese died from complications related to pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by family at the time of his death, Murphy said.

Cassese, a third-generation owner of the 86-year-old Youngstown landmark MVR Restaurant, took over the business after his father Joe passed it on to him in the early 1990s.

A graduate of both Cardinal Mooney and Ohio State University, Cassese was a larger-than-life figure to many in the city’s community.

“We were fortunate to have him for 57 years. He loved everybody and they loved him,” said Cardinal Mooney Principal John Young, a long-time family friend who coached Cassese during his time on Mooney’s football team.

“He touched so many people’s lives, and I can’t narrow it down to just one story or one moment to share about his life — it wouldn’t do him justice.”

Cassese is survived by his wife Patti; his son Joe and his wife, Erica, and their two children; and his son Frank and fiancee Jessica.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday

at 10:30 a.m. at St. Dominic Church, 77 E. Lucius Ave., Youngstown,

with the Very Rev. Msgr. Peter Polando as celebrant and Father Gregory

Maturi as con-celebrant, preceded by a prayer service at 9:30 a.m. at

the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.