Anthony William Cascio, Sr.

 Anthony (Tony) William Cascio, Sr., 72, of Owings Mills, MD, passed away on December 30, 2018, at Carroll Hospice Dove House in Westminster, MD. Born on September 8, 1946, in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of the late Philip Joseph and Betty Lee Williams Cascio. He was the loving husband of Pamela A. Cascio. 

 He was predeceased by a brother: Philip M. Cascio (March 8, 2018). 

 Surviving in addition to his 3    ^rd    wife of 29 years are children: Rachel C. Cascio, Anthony W. Cascio, Jr., and Meagan M. Cascio, grandchildren: Benjamin Hunter Smith, Noah C. Smith, Nicole L. Cascio, Dylon W. Cascio, Harleigh R. Lorditch, Oaklynn M. Lorditch, siblings: Ellen I. Cascio, and Angela Smolenski and husband John, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his two ex-wives: Rosalie Koch and Debbie Cascio. 

 The family will receive visitors for a memorial gathering on Saturday, January 12, 2019 from 10am – 12pm at Eckhardt Funeral Chapel, 11605 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117, with a memorial service to be held at 12pm.  A reception will follow (location to be announced.) 

 In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: 

 Carroll Hospice Dove House, 292 Stoner Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157    https://www.carrollhospice.org/make-a-gift  

 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 1235 South Clark Street, Suite 910, Arlington, VA 22202    https://donate.vvmf.org/page/contribute  

 or Pamela Cascio, 13 Walk Avenue, Owings Mills, MD 21117 

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 A little about Tony's colorful journey: 

 Tony was a proud veteran, having served his country during the Vietnam War from 1966-1968 (US Army, Troop A, 1    ^st    Squadron, 4    ^th    Cavalry, 1    ^st    Infantry Division "The Big Red One").  It was during this time that he was exposed to Agent Orange which plagued him later in life like so many other Vietnam vets. 

 Decorations received: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Award, Gallantry in Action Award, two Bronze Star Medals and two Purple Heart Medals. 

 Tony and Pam were able to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall May of 2013 with Dan Thompson, a Vietnam veteran who served with Tony.  Dan had his back during the War but also during the visit to The Wall which was an extremely emotional time for Tony. 

 Tony passed away after a long, hard fought illness from complications relating to Agent Orange exposure which resulted in: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Ischemic Heart Disease, Chronic Sinusitis, and LGL Leukemia.  Other related illnesses were: Pneumonia, Pancytopenia, Neutropenia, Ischemic Colitis, Anemia, Sebaceous Cancer, Peripheral Artery Disease, Diabetes Type 2, two TIAs, PTSD, Arthritis, Sensory Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Asthma, Hearing Impairment, and numerous Gram-Negative-Rod Bacteria that caused infections. 

 A big thanks to Charles Simms and Dennis Schmitt (US Army veterans) who informed Pam of the Agent Orange Registry and the importance of having Tony evaluated for Agent Orange exposure. 

 A jack of all trades, Tony did it all. He was a Fuller brush man and a bread salesman early on but many years were devoted to the trucking industry as an Owner/Operator lowboy driver. Tony's road trips took him from Baltimore to Florida hauling tomatoes, watermelons, potatoes, steel, aviation oil, machinery, vehicles, and building materials.  If it would fit on the trailer, he hauled it! Before the kids came along, Pam would go on the road with him. Anthony Jr. was a regular passenger starting at the age of two. He learned about trucks, tractors, trailers, stopping at golden arches, stopping at truck stops and, above all, talking on the CB radio. He knew more about the operation of his father's tractor/trailer than Pam ever did. 

 As many have said, Tony would give you the shirt off of his back, whether it was helping family, neighbors, friends or total strangers.  If someone had a need, he was there. He was also a man of action with multiple projects going on at the same time.  Pam's assistance was usually recruited although these projects were not necessarily Pam-approved. Tony was very much a family man.  When he wasn't working on a project, Tony spent his time with the grandkids teaching them to work a log splitter, use an ax, drive the tractor, cut the grass, rehab houses, drive vehicles and operate heavy equipment. Poppy was always happy to have little ones by his side. He enjoyed people, and it was his mission to make sure everyone always had a good time. As long as the blue and white coolers were stocked with Coors Light, there were strawberry daiquiris in the pitcher and crabs on the table, he was happy. 

 Tony was responsible for introducing horses to Rachel at age six and today, she owns her own horse.  Meagan was young also when taken to ride ponies, and Harleigh has shown an interest in riding. 

 Motocross was a huge part of the family's life.  It started when Anthony was four years old, and for Meagan, when she was six. For years, weekends were spent at motocross tracks with other families.  The Cascios held motocross schools to help upcoming riders. The bond developed with these families will remain forever! 

 Tony Cascio lived life to the fullest. He was strong and fearless and never gave up even through years of health challenges.  The family will forever be grateful to Pam for her devotion to Tony. She stood by him as a loving soulmate and tireless caregiver. With dignity, he decided to leave this world on his terms, and those he left salute his legacy.