The former Riverside, Ohio resident was born on June 1, 1931 in Humboldt, Pennsylvania to Alex and Catherine Kassick, née Braskie. He graduated from Hazletownship High School in 1949 and later went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in business from Park University at Wright-Patterson AFB in 1975.
He joined the US Air Force during the Korean War and proudly served for twenty years. His military service was followed by a career as a tech manager at NCR where he retired in 1992.
After discovering his love for the piano at 8 years old, he taught himself how to play by ear with no formal training. His fierce talent earned him the ability to entertain crowds with popular songs and standards in Atlantic City, Honolulu, and the Governor’s Mansion in New Jersey. The versatile performer enjoyed playing both solo sets and with the groups Yachtmen (NJ) and Wally and the Whalers (HI). He became a local favorite in the Dayton, Ohio area at piano lounges including Tall Timbers, the Racquet Club, and Alex’s Continental.
In his later years he maintained an active social life as a member of the Elks Lodge 58 and the Milton Club. He was a longtime parishioner at St. Helen.
He had the ability to make friends with anyone he met. He valued his family more than anything in the world. His love was contagious and he will be missed dearly by all.
He is survived by his daughters Marie (Jeff) Barnett, Cathy (Tim) Knoll, Rosemary Dannin (Alex Culpepper), and Jennie Kassick (Dave Graeter); grandchildren Ben (Lorrie), Jocelyn, Adrienne (Shawn), Sophie, Joe, Evy and John; great-grandchildren Maddie, Kennedy, Lily, Eli, Xavier, and Leo; and grand-cats Franklin and Eleanor Meowsevelt.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Frances Kassick, née Brestowski; his son Walt Kassick Jr.; son-in-law Charles Dannin; his parents; four brothers; and a sister.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, July 9th, at St. Helen Parish, 605 Granville Place, in Riverside, Ohio. Face masks are required upon entry.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Walter Kassick to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate or by calling (855) 448-3997.
The family is especially grateful to the entire staff at Miami Valley South who took great care of Walt during his final days.
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In Lieu of Flowers - Wounded Warrier Project(855) 448-3997
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