Dr. Samuel J. Cascio

Dr. Samuel J. Cascio, DDS, born on August 27, 1924. Passed away peacefully on December 8, 2025, at 101 years of age, surrounded by his family. Beloved husband of Rosemarie, née Marino; loving father of Joseph Cascio, Geraldine “Geri” (Philip) Limonciello, Daniel (Joanne) Cascio, and Dr. Michael (Catherine) Cascio; cherished brother of the late Marie Krause, the late Rosa Saia, and the late Viola Stinson; devoted grandfather to Joseph Jr. (Addison) Cascio, Jennette (Javier Robles) Cascio, Ellie Cascio, Gabriela (Justin) Limonciello-Barrett, Samuel John (Angelica) Cascio, Nicolette Cascio, John Cascio, Olivia Cascio, Michael “Mick” Cascio, and Christopher Cascio; proud great-grandfather of Cash S. Cascio, Rocco Cascio, Nicolas Robles-Cascio, and Camilla Cascio. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Dr. Cascio was the son of proud parents Joseph and Josephine Cascio. His mother was born in Cefalù, Sicily, and his father in Baltimore, Maryland, although of Italian legacy. They were married at Our Lady of Victory Church on the Northwest Side of Chicago. The family was of modest means, for dad was a barber who worked on the tenth floor at the 105 West Adams Building in downtown Chicago. In spite of the financial difficulty, he always believed in providing his children with a Catholic education.

Dr. Sam attended Our Lady of Victory grammar school and went on to St. Mel High School (run by the LaSalle Christian Brothers) at a reduced tuition, thanks to Brother James. He went on to St. Mary’s College (now a university) in Winona, Minnesota. After one year, he enlisted in the Navy rather than being drafted into the Army. He served three and a half years in the Pacific as a radioman aboard the LST 281 during World War II. After an honorable discharge, he completed his education at St. Mary’s College under the GI Bill and received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and biology. He went on to Loyola School of Dentistry, where he received his DDS degree in 1952.

Dr. Sam credits his quality education from the Christian Brothers as laying the foundation for his successful 56-year career as a dentist on the Northwest Side of Chicago.

Dr. Sam was chairman of many fund-raising events. He raised funds for St. Mel High School through their Cadillac giveaway dinners, subsequently being given the “Mel Man of the Year” Award in 1966. He was chairman for the St. Mary’s College Chicagoland Area Capital Campaign with a $1.5 million goal and served on the Board of Trustees for ten years. He was a charter member of the President’s Council from 1974–1994 and established the “Cascio Family Court,” honoring his commitment to the Brothers of the Christian Schools and their LaSallian Mission of Education at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. He was also co-chair for the $100 million campaign for the Dental Alumni Division of Loyola University.

Dr. Cascio was a past president of the Illinois State Dental Society; a past president of the Chicago and Illinois Academy of General Dentistry; a past president of the Arcolian Dental Arts Society (an organization of Italian-American dentists in the Chicagoland area); and was presented the “Arcolian Man of the Year Award” in 1981. He was also a past president of the Loyola Dental Alumni Association, the Progressive Club of the Chicago Dental Society, and the Northwest Side Branch of the Chicago Dental Society. He was a past president and lifetime member of the Columbian Club of Chicago and a past chairman of the Columbian Club Scholarship Committee for ten years.

At the University of Illinois Chicago, he served on the Eye Fund Board of Trustees for 26 years, including 18 years as its vice president; was awarded an honorary lifetime membership in the UIC Dental Alumni Association; was a President’s Council Member and University of Illinois Foundation Member. He established the “Samuel J. Cascio, DDS” scholarship for Italian-American students at the UIC Dental School. He earned fellowship in both the American and International College of Dentists. He received the Distinguished Dentist Award from the Illinois State Dental Society; received the Loyola University Dental Alumni Founder’s Day Award; and was the commencement speaker for Loyola School of Dentistry at his son’s (Dr. Michael) graduation in 1987. Dr. Cascio was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and also an American Legion member of Post 250.

Additionally, Dr. Cascio received the 2015 Marshall H. Smulson, DDS, Humanitarian Award at the 41st Annual Giants Dinner sponsored by the Ed Kelly Sports Hall of Fame. He was also the recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the Italian-American Executives of Transportation.

Family and friends will be received at Russo Hillside Chapel, 4500 Roosevelt Rd., Hillside, IL 60162, on Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visitation will also take place at Russo’s Hillside Chapels, Monday, December 15, 2025, from 8:45 a.m. until the time of the funeral procession at 9:30 a.m. going to Visitation Catholic Church, 779 S. York Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126 for Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, 700 Terrace Heights, Winona, MN 55987-1399.

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