Rosario Cassarino, 65, died Friday March 1, 2014 at UTMB Hospital in Galveston, TX, surrounded by his family.

He leaves his wife of 39 years, Giovanna Cassarino; his son, Nello and wife, Lesley, along with their two children, Kayla and Luca; his daughter, Jennifer and her husband, Andrew Glasoe; his sisters, Margherita DiBartolo and Francesca Cassarino-Lena; and two brothers, Carmelo and Saverio Cassarino.

Rosario was born in Scogliti, Sicily, to Angela and Emanuele Cassarino. After the early death of his mother, Rosario attended 4 years of Italian Seminary. At age 16 he joined his father operating tug boats in the Port of Venice. At age 18 he voluntarily joined and completed three years of service for the Italian Navy. In 1969 he then joined the merchant marines, circumnavigating the world three times. In 1975 he married his childhood sweetheart, Giovanna. They then moved to America where Rosario worked as a deck hand on shrimp boats located on Pier 19 in Galveston. In 1978 he founded Galveston Shrimp Company, achieving a lifelong dream of establishing a family business.

His life clearly shows his love of the ocean. He enjoyed sailing and loved taking his grandchildren to the beach. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. All who had the pleasure of knowing his jovial and charismatic nature will truly miss the special moments only he could create.

Rosario’s family will receive visitors beginning at 4:00 pm, Friday, March 7th, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home. A memorial service will begin at 6:00 pm at the funeral home with a reception to follow.