Obituary of John A. Cassiani

John A. Cassiani, a leader in real estate development and community service in the Colorado Springs area, died on April 14, 2017. He was 69 years old.John was the oldest of six children, born on June 18, 1947 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He celebrated much success academically and athletically in high school; he graduated as Valedictorian and as a star of his basketball team, securing him a full-ride scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh.John spent the first part of his career in the Environmental Engineering equipment industry with Envirotech and then Denver Equipment, which is the company that brought him to Colorado Springs. His experience as VP of Sales and Marketing supported his transition to real estate development. During his robust career, he was involved in land and residential lot development, apartment development, including HUD 221(d) 4 projects, and retail and office development. He was also the VP of Project Operations for the Banning Lewis Ranch Development, a 23, 000 acre planned community east of Colorado Springs.John also spent two years working with the Colorado Springs EDC in attracting new companies to the Colorado Springs area and creating jobs, and two years as the President of Colorado Springs Forward.John committed himself to serving the Colorado Springs community through volunteer efforts. Some of his board appointments included President of the Housing and Building Association, Silver Key, Cheyenne Mountain District 12 School Board, and Sports Corporation.Though busy in the Colorado Springs community, John always put family first. His wife of forty-five years, Erena, was the love of his life. They cherished each other's company through travel, golf, and social gatherings. John fostered a large network of wonderful friends during his thirty-six years in the area, and enjoyed playing pickle ball, tennis, golf, and racquetball with them, as well as traveling with them and celebrating milestones.John was frequently seen on the CMHS campus while his daughters, Maria and Gina, were in high school, supporting them at their various sporting or academic events. He and Erena loved visiting their daughters, as both moved around the country, enjoying Chicago, New York, Seattle, and San Francisco. In recent years, he loved spending time with his four grandchildren. Mia, Lila, Andrew, and Olivia loved Papa's stories and his morning pancakes.Memorial Mass, 11:00AM, Friday, April 28, 2017 at St. Paul Catholic Church, 9 El Pomar Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906. Private Inurnment will be held at Mount St. Francis Columbarium.Memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to the Colorado Springs Abode Hospice, 1980 Dominion Way, Suite 101, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80918. Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Service Friday, April 28, 2017 11:00AM St. Paul Catholic Church 9 El Pomar Road Colorado Springs,, CO 80906 Phone: 719-471-9700 Service Friday, April 28, 2017 2:30PM Mount St. Francis Columbarium 7665 Assisi Heights Colorado Springs, CO 80919 Phone: 719-955-7008