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CASSO, HENRY J. DR. Henry J. Casso, a man of unyielding faith, a loving father and adoring grandfather, passed peacefully at age 82 on February 24, 2014. He was a man who dedicated his life in service to others and promoting social change for the equality and advancement of Mexican-Americans. The impact of his life accomplishments will continue to resonate long after his departure. Born December, 1931, to Jesse Quintanilla Casso and Louisa Diaz Casso, he and his five siblings grew up in St. Peter's and St. Joseph's Home in San Antonio, Texas. He was ordained a priest in the Roman Catholic Church in 1957. With a passion for the poor, equal rights for Mexican-Americans and the youth, his ministry was zealous and far-reaching. He spearheaded the creation of the Don Bosco Youth Center which still flourishes today in San Antonio. Dr. Casso served President Lyndon B. Johnson as a leader in his "War on Poverty" in the 1960's and founded PADRES (Padres Asociados para Derechos Religiosos, Educativos Y Sociales) in 1969. PADRES became a powerful force for change within the Catholic Church for the increased representation of Mexican-American priests and bishops among the clergy. As a champion of civil rights, he helped establish MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense Fund) to assure that Mexican-Americans would gain fair representation within the legal system through advancing participation of Mexican-Americans in all aspects of society. In the second phase of his life, Dr. Casso pioneered the Massachusetts Undergraduate Teacher Training Bilingual Program while he was an educational doctoral student at the University of Massachusetts. He started a family and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1973. As a professor in the school of education at the University of New Mexico, he continued his pursuit for bilingual education in public schools and served as a member of Governor Bruce King's state-wide Education Task Force. Dr. Casso was a man who believed in inspiring youth to excel and pursue higher education. He founded the National Institute for Professional Development - Project Uplift - in 1976 and, for the following three decades, over tens of thousands of high-school and university students would benefit from its initiatives. Project Uplift conducted annual Spring and Summer Institutes in New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado to introduce students to STEM careers and the manner of pursuing higher education. To expand his influence, Dr. Casso produced 325 half-hour television programs that were broadcast on ABC affiliate KOAT-TV in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In the late 90's, the Director General of UNESCO welcomed Project Uplift to Costa Rica. In his retirement, Dr. Casso dedicated his life to the preservation of Hispanic Culture and the impact of the Catholic Church in Mexico, New Mexico and Texas. As a noted scholar, his final years have been dedicated to the Father Margil y Sor Maria de Agreda Initiative. Sor Maria de Jesus de Agreda, otherwise known as the Blue Nun, galvanized the spread of Catholicism among the Native Americans through documented bilocation. A dedicated group of historians and believers have vowed to continue the initiative. Henry J. Casso is known by many as an intellectual, a scholar and a leader. He is described as a gentle, kind man with an ardent devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Dr. Casso is survived by his loving sister, Sister Carmelta Casso, IWBS; his daughter Marialuisa Casso; his daughter Carin and son-in-law Jon Reinhardt; and his two grandchildren, Noah and Isabella. Rosary and Memorial will be held at Salazar Mortuary SW, 400 3rd St. SW at Friday, Feb. 27th at 7:00pm. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Aquinas Newman Center, University of NM 1815, Las Lomas Rd. NE on Saturday, Feb. 28th at 11:00a.m.
        Published on: Fri February 28, 2014