Heartfelt sympathies to you and yours, I loved waiting on your father at the Amana Meatshop he was such a wonderful person and he loved his family and getting them beef jerky and bacon for his brother. He will be dearly missed, I wondered how he was since I didn’t see him , but I noticed he was slipping a bit and did worry the last few times he was in. I would’ve come to pay my respects but my girlfriend just cane across this so please except my apologies and condolences. God Bless
Sue Lockhart
January 27, 2019
Julie,
Sorry for your loss. I read about your father in the newspaper yesterday. Sounds like a tremendous father and I am sure he was very proud of you. Sorry again and I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Joel Yates
January 23, 2019
Dear Mike, Julie, John and the entire Casali family,
I am so sorry to learn Chet died last week. I can still see his great big smile whenever he was on the Coe campus. He always had a good story for me. I learned a lot of Coe history from him especially how he followed Coach Clausen to Coe to play college football after serving in WWII. He fell in love with Helen and stayed in CR to raise his family.
I will miss getting together for occasional lunches. It was an honor to know such a gentleman who touched many lives through the Y years and starting swim meets. I am blessed to have been his friend.
My condolences to you all. May Chet & Helen smile upon you as you continue their legacy on earth. Jean Johnson
Jean Johnson
January 22, 2019
To Chets family,
I am so sorry to hear of Chets passing - the world has truly lost a very great man... so kind, and full of history and inspiration. I first met Chet while working the front desk at the Council Street YMCA - where he FAITHFULLY attended each morning, and greeted his many friends, and shared inspiring conversations with all.
My Dad was also a WW2 veteran, and I loved hearing the stories - stories of working for the Y back in the day - the swim team - working for the creamery - and his family that he was SO VERY proud of. The last time I saw Chet he was telling me that it was his wifes birthday (or maybe it was their anniversary). He stayed for almost an hour sharing with me.
I wanted you to know that my time spent visiting him on Tuesdays and Thursdays were PRECIOUS and INSPIRING to me - times I am better for having experienced.
Your man was truly a great man!
Robin Squires
January 22, 2019
Chet was quite a man and great competitor who gave so much back to high school sports. Our condolences to all the family and may you find peace in your memories. Wally and Beth Sheets
Wally and Beth Sheets
January 22, 2019
Chet was quite a man and great competitor who gave so much back to high school sports. Our condolences to all the family and may you find peace in your memories. Wally and Beth Sheets
Wally and Beth Sheets
January 22, 2019
I first met Chet at Coe College; we sat next to each other in religion class. I remember Chet as a referee at the Y and his ability to calm our senior basketball team down (especially John Rosenberg) in a gentlemanly manner. I am glad I saw him recently in Cedar Rapids.
Stan Cejka
January 22, 2019
One of finest and few true gentlemen have ever known. Was always a distinct pleasure to 'run into Chet." Truly be missed by many.
Flip Klinger
January 22, 2019
To Julie, Mike, and John--Your dad was a close friend, confidante, and esteemed colleague. I loved him dearly, like a brother. We had great times on the handball court, in the office, and just hanging around. He was kind and thoughtful, but my life is better because of him. My deepest condolences to all of you. His life was a blessing for all who knew him. May he find eternal rest. Marty Gurvey
martin gurvey
January 21, 2019
Chet was my friend. I knew him at the YMCA and in the capacity as an official at high school sporting events. Always a gentleman, he impacted many people in a positive way. I celebrate his life. We are all better because he was here. I will recall him fondly as he was a man who made a difference wherever he was. William C. Jacobson Educator
William C Jacobson
January 20, 2019
To Chet's family,
It was always fun to have Chet on the pool deck during my diving meets for Washington High School and Coe College! It was rare to find a swimming official who really enjoyed judging diving so I would always get excited to see him walk on deck during the meets. I am sure he has touched many, many more lives than you will ever realize by everything he did as an offical and it was truly appreciated. My deepest sympathy for your loss of a great man who lived a wonderful life!
Colleen
January 19, 2019
My life intersected Chet intermittently. My son was a swimmer and Chet officiated many of his meets. My daughter swam special Olympic meets and he officiated those also. He was also a patient of mine. He was always a caring, humble true human being that I was grateful to know.
Keith Wright md.
January 19, 2019
Unbeknownst to many, Chet played an important roll in my life. I was drafted at 24 years of age in 1966. Chet set up and worked with me on a training program at the Y to be prepared for the physical part of basic training. Thanks to Chet the physical stress of basic was much easier to handle. I saw him a few times through the years, he always remembered our special association. I remember him as one of "the good guys"! Tom Martin, Iowa City.
tom marttin
January 19, 2019
Casali Family: Chet was such a great man and a positive influence on everyone he met. My father Woodrow was President of the YMCA for a feew years years, so he and Chet were good buddies. As a regular participant at YMCA swimming meets and after school activities at the YMCA, I saw Chet frequently. He will be missed. Tom Wenkstern, Plano, Texas
Tom Wenkstern
January 19, 2019
Julie, John, Mike - the beautiful chidren of Chet and Helen Casali. What a blessing to have known you all! I can hardly remember a time your Dad and I weren't friends - In my 25 years working for the YMCA and all the years since. Chet had a way of making every person he knew feel like they were special with a smile that would light up the room when he walked through the door. Please know that your Dad, your Mom and all of you will always hold a very treasured place in my heart. Nancy
Nancy Lain
January 19, 2019
Casali Family,
Our condolences on your loss! We were blessed to have been your next door neighbors for over 30 years and have fond memories of Chet and your family. Those neighborhood get-to-gathers were something special.
Regard's,
Donna and Neil
Neil & Donna Detrick
January 18, 2019
John and Vicki, Julie and Frank so sorry for your loss. You and Chet will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Jeff Wilkin
January 17, 2019
To all of my cousins, Todd and I are very sorry for your loss. As I read the obituary I was reminded of a funny story Chet once told us about his name. I believe his name was supposed to be Cesare, but he ended up with the official name of Cesaro due to someone's bad penmanship. He always had some good story to tell, and we always looked forward to visiting with him at the family gatherings. After my father died he still kept in touch, first with my mother, then with us via letters, photos and Christmas Cards. He was our source of news on the family in Italy as well. He was a fine example of what most of us strive to be by means of hard work, dedication to personal fitness, actively helping others, and generally making the most of every day. RIP dear cousin Chet. I hope you meet Connie Francis on the other side. With our deepest sympathy, Cathy & Todd Kowalski
Cathy Casali Kowalski
January 17, 2019
To the Casali family:
Please accept our condolences on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this most difficult time. We hope that comfort and peace come to you. We know that he will truly be missed. Chet was an ICON in the metro area. He was known for his officiating, his big smile and friendly approach. Chet and I officiated a number of state meets together so we had a few road trips. He would always bring bakery and salami from Chicago to share. Chet would always give the kids the benefit of the doubt while officiating. What a great guy.
May God bless all of you.
Jim and Carol Voss
Jim Voss
January 17, 2019
Casali family, I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss. I knew Chet from my time as a swimmer at Harding Middle School, Kennedy High School, and Coe College. I’m certain I can speak for all of my teammates and competitors and say we all loved and respected Chet. Chet was always quick with a smile, words of encouragement, he took the time to learn our names and treated us with respect and genuine concern. I fondly remember many poolside chats with this great man. I was truly blessed to have met him. Rest In Peace Chet.
Brandon Hakes
January 16, 2019
Julie and family—Chet was a great friend and a favorite of all of the people who met him in connection with the YMCA. He was warm and giving. He reffed my daughter’s swim meets. He persuaded me to visit your relatives outside Rome, Italy in Grotaferrata-and my wife Jane and I had lunch with them-and I reported back to Chet-and he loved it. What a guy!! I am so sorry he has passed, but I am thrilled that he lived a long life. Jim Arenson
James “Jim” Arenson
January 16, 2019
Julie & Family, Your father was a real gem. I was the girls swimming coach at Washington High School in the late 70s & 80s and your dad often officiated our swim meets. He always had a smile on his face and would take the time to talk to us as coaches- he was very supportive of me during my coaching years and in the later years we were blessed to see him at mass at St. Pius often. He will be greatly missed and my sympathies go out to the entire family.
Carol Lensing
January 16, 2019
Julie Mike John,
Your dad was my friend, a father figure, and we as old Y swimmers loved him. Trips to Y nationals with your dad driving was always an experience... and always mad better by your mom's chocolate chip cookies ?? ??
I will miss the both. RIP
Rob (Robbie ??) Cook
Rob Cook
January 16, 2019
Julie and family, I have fond memories of your dad. I was so happy when he gave me my first job at the Y. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Barb (Taylor) Fortune
January 16, 2019
My sincere condolences to John and all family and friends of Chet. Chet and the Casali family were good/important role models too myself and many others during our junior high and high school years.
Steven C. Long
January 16, 2019
My deepest condolences go out to Chet's family. Thru his brother Sam & my Mother Janet LeVine I've been told many stories of the wonderful person Chet was. I recently got his Lemon-cello recipe & will honor him every time I make & drink it. RIP Chet. Thoughts & prayers to the family.
BarbaraJean Koscielak
January 16, 2019
Chet touched multiple generations in my (swimming and diving) family. His name frequently came up at family gatherings -- and we always had smiles on our faces when that happened. He was a good man in the traditional sense: strong yet humble.
Cary Miller
January 16, 2019
Dear John and Vicki and family: I was sad to read about Chet's death in today's Gazette. He was one of the last "old timers" from the YMCA. What a great guy! I'll miss him. Thinking of all of you. Sincerely, Bill Stone
Wilford H. Stone
January 16, 2019
Julie, John and Mike, Just a note to tell you how sorry I was to hear of you losing your father. He was a kind man and had a positive influence on so many people. Semper Fi. Tim Donnelly
Tim Donnelly
January 16, 2019
Julie and family, I have fond memories of your dad. I was so happy when he gave me my first job at the Y. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Barb (Taylor) Fortune
January 16, 2019
I have very fond memories of both Chet and Helen and my mother, Nancy Lain, thought the world of both of them and all of your family. May God’s strength, peace and love surround and comfort you all.
Becky Lain
January 16, 2019