Died: Nov. 23
He made a living running Fort Wayne restaurants that employed thousands and fed thousands over four decades.
It was the disciplined side of Tom Casaburo Sr.'s personality that made him a successful businessman, for years the face of The Casa Restaurant Group, now led by two of his sons.
Known as a perfectionist, Casaburo expected employees to provide exceptional customer service.
“He was exactly what a United States marine would be,” one of his sons, Jim Casaburo, said in November. “He was tough. He paid attention to detail.”
Casaburo opened his first restaurant, Casa D'Angelo on Coldwater Road, with the late Jimmy D'Angelo in 1977. D'Angelo retired from the business in 1993 and sold his share to Casaburo and his wife, Sharon.