Raphael A. Cassese of the Avenel section of Woodbridge Township passed away on Friday, January 22, 2016 at Haven Hospice at JFK Medical Center. He was 89 years old.

Born in Elizabeth, NJ; He resided in Avenel for 63 years.

He was a graduate of Jefferson High School in Elizabeth.

Mr. Cassese was employed with Wilson Jones Co. in Elizabeth for 45 years retiring as Receiving Department Supervisor in 1988 and served as a crossing guard at Avenel Street School # 4 & 5 for 10 years.

He was a Communicant of St. Andrew's R.C. Church in Avenel where he served as an Usher; and was a 3rd degree member of St. Andrew's Knights of Columbus.

He was predeceased by his parents Pasquale and Clementine Franciotti Cassese; and a sister Theresa Brodowski.

Surviving are his wife of 67 years, Mary Wasyluk Cassese; a daughter, Patricia Cassese of Arizona; two sons Ralph Cassese and his wife, Maureen, of Washington State, and Michael and his wife, Kimberly, of Arizona; two brothers, Albert Cassese of Bricktown and Daniel Cassese of Millington; three grandchildren, David Drinnan, Jr., Nicole Cassese and Brittany Cassese; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at 8:45 a.m. from Costello-Koyen Funeral Home ( www.Costello-koyen.com ), 399 Avenel Street, Avenel. A Mass of Resurrection will follow at 9:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Avenel. Entombment will be in Woodbridge Memorial Gardens, Woodbridge. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to Haven Hospice, c/o JFK Medical Center Foundation, 80 James Street, Edison, NJ 08820 in Ralph's memory will be greatly appreciated by the family.