Nicholas Casanave

Nicholas John "Jack" Casanave, 86, Altoona passed away Friday of natural causes in Altoona.

He was born in Altoona, son of the late Nicholas John Sr. and Mary Hilda (Holland) Casanave.

He married the former Rita Maria Armenis at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on April 16, 1966, after which they confirmed their vows at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Altoona.

Jack is survived by his loving and devoted wife Rita of 49 years; two sons, John J. and Eric A. and wife Jen (Greco) both of Altoona; two granddaughters, Elina Stavroula and Isabella Maria Casanave. He is also survived by a sister, Hilda (Richard) Bertotti of Hendersonville, Tennessee and their ten children and their families, and 3 nephews to his deceased sister Elizabeth (Wallace) Dixon, and their families.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Attorney Mary Louise (Ralph) Gipprich and Elizabeth, and an infant bother, Germaine.

A devoted Catholic, he was a member of St. Mark Parish in Altoona.

Jack was a 1946 graduate of Altoona Catholic High School and a 1953 graduate of Villanova University with a degree in Economics. After serving in the US Army in Europe during the Korean Conflict From 1953 to 1955, he earned his Juris Doctor Degree from Villanova Law School in 1958. He was admitted to the Blair County Bar in 1959.

He was appointed Altoona City Solicitor in 1965 after previously serving as Altoona's frist full - time redevelopment director and solicitor. He served as City Solicitor for 30 years under eight myoral administrations befor retiring from the City in 1995. He continued in private practice as proprietor of Casanave Law Office until his passing. His tenure as City Solicitor was the longest term in Altoona history.

As City Solicitor, he authored and prepared various landmark ordinances and policies, including an ordinance establishing AMED as an emergency franchised ambulance service; utility regulations supporting differing city and out - of - city water and sewer retes, a precept which was upheld by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court; and offered legal guidance on numerous other governmental, labor, millage, and utility franchise issues. He was involved in the legal establishment of Home Nursing Agency, and served as solicitor for the Altoona Parking Authority, Central Blair County Sanitary Authority, Altoona Chamber of Commerce, the City of Altoona Non - Uniformed Employees Pension Fund, Keystone Health Systems, and had served as the frist interim solicitor for Improved Dwellings for Altoona (IDA).

His civic involvements included tenures as a board member of Blair County Easter Seals, serving as a 3 - term president and fundraising chairman; the Penn State Altoona Advisory Board; the Altoona Symphony Society Board; Rotary International; the Navy League Council (as secrtary); Altoona Campus Alumni Board; the Citizan' Advisory Council; LTOONA Chamber of commerce; and the Altoona Public Libary Committee.

Jack enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, and was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pittsbuurgh Pirates and Villanove Wildcats basketball. His greatest roles as a loving husband, father, and "Papou."

Friends will be received from 5:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at Jones Funeral Home, Alttona where a vigil for the deceased will be held . AFuneral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, August 27, 2015 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona officiated by Monsignor Robert Mazur, Fr. Christopher Panagoplos, TOR, Fr. James Coveney, and the Very Rev. Fr. Ronald V. Osinski. Committal Rites will be at Calvary Cemetery, Altoona. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Jack's memory to St. Vincent DePaul Food for Families Soup Kitchen, 2201 Union Ave, Altoona, Pa 16601