Michael Casadei, a life long resident of Litchfield, died peacefully on January 11at the age of 72.

Michael graduated from Litchfield High School in 1966. He was on the basketball team that won the championship that year. He received a BA from Northwestern University in 1972.

He worked with his father, Nino, at Casadei Oil and for many years was a popular bartender at the Village Restaurant in Litchfield.

He is survived by his sister, Nina Casadei Ackerman and his brother,Thomas Casadei, as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Jane and Ross Adkins, as well as Michaels’s many friends and neighbors, for helping him deal with his numerous health issues these past 15 years. He endured so much but he never lost his passionate love of cooking, his insatiable curiosity and indefatigable questions or his engaging charm.

He touched the hearts of his doctors and caregivers. He will be greatly missed.

There will be a graveside service at St Anthony’s Cemetery, Saturday, January 16 at 1:00pm.

Due to Covid 19 a celebration of his life will be postponed until Saturday May 1, his birthday.