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<p><em>Vincent Lawrence “Vince” Casillo</em> passed away on December 11, 2020, a victim of COVID-19. Vince leaves behind a fine family, including his wife, Phyllis; son, Andrew; daughter, Ariana; eight grandchildren; and a brother, Joseph. For the last several years Vince lived in Boynton Beach, FL, never far away from a golf course. In the days before he passed away, he had made his first hole-in-one. He lived a wonderful life full of achievements, medals, and awards yet remained humble throughout. In addition to football, Vince was the New York state shotput champion in high school. His high school record still stands. In May 1966, Nassau County proclaimed “Vince Casillo Day” and organized a parade in his honor, in his hometown of Franklin Square, NY.</p>
<p>West Point Football and its head coach at the time, Paul Dietzel, were fortunate in 1961-62 when several of the best football players from the New York area’s All-Metropolitan Team decided to play football at West Point. Vince, Rollie, Pete, Frank, Sam, and Tom were nationally recognized. This period of Army football saw Army as a nationally ranked team, and it beat Roger Staubach’s Navy team in 1964. Vince achieved All-East recognition for his football prowess. The teammates remained lifelong friends. Each fall, seldom missing a home football game, they were seated in their season ticket block of seats in section 13 at Michie Stadium. The West Point experience creates strong lifelong bonds. </p>
<p>Vince was a charismatic role model for cadets and countless others who were fortunate enough to know him. Having attained the rank of cadet captain at West Point, he was a respected leader of his class. Several members from the Class of 1969 wrote notes after Vince’s passing, remembering the positive effect his leadership as Beast Barracks company commander had on them as new cadets. </p>
<p>At Camp Buckner training, Vince earned the nickname of “The Swamp Fox,” having led his unit by wading chest deep at night through a swamp to turn the “enemies” flank. </p>
<p>During plebe year 1962, many of Vince’s calorie-deficient classmates were treated to hardy Italian meals by Vince’s parents, who visited often with food for as many as could gather around the tailgate. It’s only by coincidence that Vince was chosen “Best New Cadet” that year.</p>
<p>After graduation he went on to attain many of his life’s goals. Vince lived most of his life in New York City, a convenient location to meet and greet many of his visiting classmates.</p>
<p>One ambitious project, sponsored by Vince and friend and classmate Sam Champi, was designed to rebuild critical housing for tens of thousands of displaced Vietnamese in postwar Saigon. It was to be a Marshall Plan-type project. Together the group succeeded in securing a contract signed by the Vietnamese government. The project, though fully funded by Vietnam, fell through at the last minute when a politicized Congress refused to sanction it—a loss for U.S. prestige and for Vietnam. Though the project became a loss for the partnering companies, all still believed that it was a worthwhile venture to pursue.</p>
<p>Years later Vince founded a successful disabled veterans construction company. The company upgrades care facilities at veterans hospitals. </p>
<p>Vince was a true humanitarian. Like other West Pointers, his life was consumed with the ideals of Honor and Duty to his Country, his family and fellow Americans.</p>
<p><em>— Joseph Casillo, Class of 1969</em></p>
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