   
Photos courtesy of Chuck Graham | On Saturday morning, in what appears to be a senseless act of violence at the Clayton Post Office, a fellow Rotarian, Ray Casso, 73, was murdered. Claycord.com has posted lots of information on the insanity that took place. For me, I knew Ray from our club, the Concord/ClaytonValley Sunrise Rotary, where, at our breakfast meetings, he was always jovial, easy going; an all around nice human being who deserved so much more than the death he received today. For Clayton, this tragedy comes after a 13 year time span since the last murder, for a community that prides itself on a clean way of life, with old fashioned values and solid law enforcement. In the days ahead, more details will emerge. The Contra Costa Times has a photo of the alleged assailant. His motives, at this time, are vague. I also posted a video from an eyewitness HERE. And the reports on Claycord.com HERE Whatever the reasons, a nice man died today and in this post I wish to honor his life and memory and urge others who knew Ray, to do the same. At the end of our days, what else do we have but the memories we leave behind; our mark upon the world, living on through others. "These then are my last words to you: Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact." Rest in Peace, Ray. My thoughts go out to JoAnn and Ray's family.
 |
Saturday, March 7, 2009
SADNESS IN CLAYTON: THE DEATH OF A KIND MAN - RAY CASSO
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
Great write up on Ray. He sounded like a really nice guy, one who I would have liked to be friends with.
Mayor
I am so sad for his family and will keep them in my thoughts and prayers. I am sorry that you have lost what sounds like a good friend and I will pray for you too. I had a friend that I lost to a senseless act like this one she was my BEST friend. Any loss like is big but these are the ones that leave us blank in why this person. It sounds like the world just lost "ANOTHER GOOD ONE" I pray he is in a better place and that his family will find answers and comfort.
Can we help by making meals for them or anything else?
Our Prayers,
The Groebner family
I didn't know Ray, but I am so very saddened to hear about this. My heart goes out to his friends and family ~ may peace comfort you... somehow.
Michele
Mister Writer: Thank you so much for your kind tribute to Ray Casso. Ray and JoAnn have been dear friends for 40 years; Ray was everything you say and so much more. It is incomprehensible to JoAnn, their children, grandchildren and circle of friends that this wonderful and loving man ran a quick errand to the post office and will never come home again.
While no one was able to stop this senseless tragedy, the people of Clayton demonstrated their unwillingness to let this crime go unpunished. Please thank the post office employee who ran after the assailant yelling for help. Please thank the people in the park who tackled the assailant and held him until the police arrived. Please thank the Chief of Police who had the awful job of notifying JoAnn.
Please add the Casso family to your prayers.
Sad beyond belief. Senseless.
Prayers to his family and friends.
Indeed. I heard the news last night. I went to school with Rick, and knew Ray and Robin as well. Mr. Casso was always a very kind and genial person.
I'm so sorry and saddened for this family. Please accept my condolences for your loss, his family, Andre, and to all who knew him. When I look at his picture, I tear up - it's so unfair. As a grandparent, I am soooo pissed off that his grandchildren are now deprived of a man who was obviously one of a kind -. I can see them running up to him and throwing their arms around his neck - yelling "grandpa" and he would bend down to their level and hug them like a big bear. Dammit,it makes me so mad.
This makes no sense. We are so sorry for this terrible loss.
You've done a nice job honoring your friend. Our thoughts are with you and all of his family and friends.
Thank you to everyone who has expressed their concerns. ACC, I am not a grandparent yet ( a few more months) but I agree with your sentiment. What stands out, perhaps a great tribute to Ray, is that we do not take for granted what little time we have to share with those we love. The economy, recession, personal issues, all get in the way. It takes a tragedy like this to make us remember the things of true value in our lives that we cannot replace. That is the sentiment to pass on to those you encounter.
Post a Comment