WINTER HAVEN - Richard M. Cassano of Winter Haven passed away Monday, May 18, 2009 at the Winter Haven Hospital from heart failure.

He was 72. A native of Brooklyn, New York, born December 4, 1936, Richard moved here in 1980 from Miami, Florida. He was a retired policeman from the Coral Gables Police Department; a US Navy veteran serving in the Vietnam War; a member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church; the Knights of Columbus, and Richard was a Past District Commissioner for the Gulf Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He also taught shooting sports at Flaming Arrow Boy Scout Camp. Richard was preceded in death by his daughter Debbie Cassano.

He is survived by his wife Gloria Cassano of Winter Haven; his sons David Cassano of Winter Haven, and Mark Cassano of Jacksonville, FL; his daughter Lisa Cassano of Florida, and a sister Mary Maxwell of New York. Richard also has 4 grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 11 00 AM at the chapel of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Winter Haven.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Flaming Arrow Boy Scout Camp, 1201 Boy Scout Road, Lake Wales, FL 33898.

Condolences to the family can be sent to www.oakridgefuneralcare.com