Michael George Casassa

Michael George Casassa

1955 ~ 2023

Micheal George Casassa passed away on October 18, 2023, after valiantly fighting cancer for two and a half years.

Mike was born in Mobile, Alabama on May 26, 1955, to Marie Louise and John Stephen Casassa. He was a stubborn fighter from day one, and that fighting spirit continued though out his life until his body just couldn’t fight any longer.

Mike’s parents divorced when he was 2, and he was raised along with his sister Lyndall by his mom and his beloved grandmother, whom he called MawMaw.

Mike lived many different lives in his life time, and worked many jobs… He made donuts at Dunkin Donuts, drove a wrecker, worked at a feed store, drove carriages down at the plaza in Kansas City during the winter, and set jail cells using precast cells all over the East and Southern part of the United States. He worked in lawn and landscaping in Missouri, then re-opened his own lawn care company in Utah after moving to American Fork. Mike met many lifelong friends with every work opportunity.

Mike married Nikole Hardy on December 21, 2002, and gained an instant family. A wife, a daughter, a spare set of parents, and many brothers and sisters with nephews and nieces to love and “pick at” were included.

Mike and Nikki were sealed in the Mount Timpanogas Temple on February 15, 2023, making their family eternal.

Mike LOVED cooking and feeding those he loved. BBQ was his niche, and he was really good at it. He found and was accepted into the local BBQ community, as well as an online community, where he found more forever friends. If he loved you, he fed you. He hauled his smoker all the way to American Fork form Missouri once, just to cook BBQ for his mother-in-law because he knew she liked it.  Mike loved and served those around him humbly, and without seeking thanks.

He had a crazy sense of humor, and couldn’t resist a chance to let it shine.

Mike loved his family. He loved his friends, and was blessed to have so many that became his family. Mike had a soft spot for those who may have needed a father figure, and gladly stepped in when he could. If you know, you know. When Mike loved you, you knew it. He was fiercely loyal, and protective.

Most of all, Mike loved HIS girls and his puppies…. He really LOVED his babies. He

filled his roles as husband, father, brother, and Uncle as best as he could, but his favorite role was Papa. He leaves behind a gaping hole in our lives, but with a promise that we will see him again and our family will again be whole.

Mike was proceeded in death by his parents, his MawMaw, his sister Karen, his Mom and Pop, and his beloved Buddy.

Mike is survived by his sweetheart Nikki, children Morgan, Drew, and Mallori, his favorite people, Nikson, Landyn, Dominic, and Oaklyn, and 4 furry babies. Brothers Bret, Bart, and Blair, and sisters Nann, Beth, Ginger, and Lyndall.  John, Kristen, Jimmy, Micheal, Kate, Brooke, Sydney, and all of his Hardy nieces and nephews, he loved you all unconditionally and proudly shared all of your accomplishments with anyone who would listen.

The Casassa family would like to thank those who helped us and cared for us through Mike’s cancer journey. Dr. Clarke and staff, Dr. Wallentine and staff, Dr. Garry and staff, Dr. Cook and elevation / sage, the staff on floor #9 at Utah Valley hospital, Shawn and Warenski Funeral Home, friends, family, and Uncle Bret, we love you all and are forever grateful. Heavenly father guided us to the best.

Funeral services for Mike will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 3145 West Mayflower Avenue, Lehi, Utah.  Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church. Interment will be in the American Fork Cemetery.