Neil Cassanelli

  Neil L. Cassanelli, 68, Grand Forks, ND, died Sunday, March 20, 2016 at home surrounded by his family and under the care of Altru Hospice. Neil Louis Cassanelli was born November 19, 1947 in Springfield, MA, the son of Louis and Dorothy (Marchetti) Cassanelli. He was raised and educated in Springfield and graduated from high school there in 1966. Neil attended Western New England College, then joined the U. S. Air Force and served in Vietnam. He married the love of his life, Susan Veitch, on January 24, 1970 in St. Michael’s Catholic Church of Grand Forks. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in March of 1970. They lived in Springfield, MA where Neil worked for 3M and later for Greenough Paper Co. In 1985, they moved to Grand Forks, ND where Neil worked for Rice Hegstrom Office Supplies, and then worked for nearly 20 years caring for people as a Hearing Instrument Specialist with AudioCare. Neil was an avid sports fan who played baseball. He also enjoyed watching baseball games and following Fighting Sioux Hockey. Survivors include his wife, Susan, Grand Forks; daughter, Sheri (Kevin) Ayotte, East Grand Forks, MN; son, Michael (Melissa) Cassanelli, East Grand Forks, MN; grandchildren, Ashley Ayotte, Zachary Ayotte and Andrew Cassanelli; sisters, Elaine (Danny) McKiernan, Summerville, SC and Ann (Alan) Beaulieu, Enfield, CT; brother-in-law, James S. (Brenda) Veitch. Neil was preceded in death by his parents. Mass of Christian Burial will be 3:00 PM Wednesday, March 23, 2016 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church of East Grand Forks, MN. Visitation will be for the hour before Mass in the church. Burial and military honors will be in St. Theodore’s Cemetery of Laporte, MN at a later date.