September 10, 2003 -- It is with heartfelt sorrow that we announce our Chairman, CEO, Mentor, Friend and Father, EDWARD A. CASSON JR., 68, passed from “this present journey to the next” on September 1 at home with his wife and family in Wake Forest, North Carolina. All that knew “The Big E” and stood by his side as he fearlessly fought cancer over the past two years will forever be motivated and inspired by his life, how he lived it, and how he fought the good fight till the end. Ed is survived by his wife Ronalda, affectionately known as Ronnie, and their children, Edward A. “Trip” Casson and his wife Dianne of Wake Forest, NC, Teresa Higgins and her husband Robert of Easton, Maryland, Kimberly Phelps and her husband, Marion of Wilmington, NC, Cynthia Higgins and her husband, Glenn of Easton, Maryland, Clark Casson and his wife Michelle of Wake Forest, NC, and Brandon Casson and his fiancé Lindalee “Lennie” Edwards of Louisburg, NC. Ed also leaves behind 11 grandchildren: Justin, Jordan, Matthew, Adam, Alexandra, Meredith, Christina, Ashley, Marisa, Phillip and Nicholas. In addition, Ed is survived by his mother, Mary Francis Casson, sisters Collette Edwards, Donna Eichor, Christine Casson, and Mary Francis “Muffy” Petty, his one brother, Thomas Casson, plus several nieces and nephews. For those led to share In Memory of Ed Casson Jr., the family requests that gifts be sent to the American Cancer Society, 11 S. Boylan Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27603 and Wake Hospice, 1300 St. Mary’s St., Raleigh, NC 27605.