Dolph R. Casarino, born and raised in Vallejo, California, passed away Saturday night in Hollister, at the age of 80. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Julie, daughter, Caela and son-in-law, Mike Monahan, daughter, Teri and son-in-law, Bret Butcher and grandson, Kyle, son, Dario and daughter-in-law, Carole, grandchildren, Alexis and Damian Casarino, step-granddaughters, Tara and Lara, and step-great- grandson, Evyn.
Dolph loved football his entire life. After serving in the US Marine Corp for four years during WWII, he finished his tour of duty playing football for the Camp Pendleton football team, where his nickname was Sugarfoot. Dolph obtained his BS Degree from UCLA and later moved his family to St. Helena, CA, where he taught and coached football. During his tenure there, he led the St. Helena Saints to three undefeated seasons.
The family then moved to Hollister, where Dolph taught business at Hollister High School and coached more football for the Hollister Haybalers. Dolph retired in 1986, bought a commercial salmon boat and fished several years out of Moss Landing. He then coached again as an assistant football coach with his son, Dario and Matt Olejnik for the Haybaler freshman team for several seasons.
A memorial service will be held at the Hollister Elk’s Lodge, B.P.O.E. #1436, 351 Astro Dr., Hollister, on Sunday, February 10, at 3:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Hollister Visiting Nurses Assn., the Elk’s Building Fund or Hollister Community Pantry, in care of Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home.
