Colonel John G. Casagrande of Peacham,Vermont died peacefully at home on June 16.

He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey 91 years ago, and grew up in nearby Highland Park. As a child and young adult, he enjoyed horseback riding and hiking. He was an Eagle Scout, having achieved that honor in six months, the record in New Jersey at that time.

Toward the end of World War II, he was drafted during his freshman year at Rutgers University and spent a year in the Infantry. After returning home, he enrolled in the College of Forestry of Syracuse University, graduating in 1951. From that time, until he was 75 years old, he worked in the paper industry as a field engineer and consultant.   He was very proud of having visited every paper mill in the United States and most of them in Canada and South America.

But his lifelong dream was to become a military pilot, and he joined the USAF in 1954. After receiving his wings, he qualified as a fighter pilot and returned to the New Jersey Air National Guard where he served for 25 years. As a "weekend warrior" he flew with his squadron throughout the United States and to many other parts of the world. In 1961, during the Berlin crisis, his squadron was called to active duty and sent to Chaumont, France.

John served as commander of the 141 st Tactical Fighter Squadron of the JNANG and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Outstanding Unit award.

In 1966 he was the first ANG pilot in the United States to qualify in the F-105B Thunder Chief jet aircraft. He retired in 1975.

John is survived by Lee, his wife of 65 years, and seven children and their spouses: three daughters Carolyn and Jonathan Herz of Montpelier, Vermont; Kathleen and Edward Kadunc of Barnet Vermont; Susan and David Hampton of London, UK; and four sons and their spouses:  John Casagrande Jr. and Jane Bell of Boston, Ma; David and Naima Casagrande of Boston, Ma; Steven and Joan Casagrande of West Newbury, Ma, and Christopher and Alice Casagrande of Paris, France.

He leaves ten grandchildren: Julien, Marco, Georgiana, Alessandro, and Elsa Godawatta; Ethan and Seth Herz; Matthew and Gabriella Casagrande; and Holly Casagrande.  Other survivors include his sister, Rose Hudson, and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside funeral will be held on Monday, July 2 at 3:00, at the Peacham Cemetery, followed by a celebration of John's life at his home in Peacham. The family requests that anyone wishing to make a donation in John's name choose a favorite charity.