Albert F. Cadette

NORTHAMPTON-Albert F. Cadette, 101 years old and a member of the “Greatest Generation” passed away in his home on Saturday morning, July 22, 2023, with his son at his side. The secret to Cadette’s longevity is anyone’s guess, but he credited a lifetime to staying physically active. Over the years, he made significant renovations to his house, including lowering the 9½-foot ceilings, and in his 60s, he planted 52 apple trees on family-owned farmland near the Northampton Airport. Albert was born in Holyoke on March 25, 1922, the son of Joseph and Emily (Duarte) Cadette, proud emigrees from Portugal. He was born in Holyoke, and at age 10, his family left amid the Great Depression and returned to his parents native Portugal, where he lived for eight years before returning to live in Northampton. Later that same year, Albert enlisted in the US Navy at the onset of WW II. He served on several ships including the USS Parker, USS Saturn and the LST-578. An assignment to a reinforcement convoy off the Philippines nearly took his life when a Kamikaze pilot took aim at his LST; ultimately the plane was downed just 10 feet short of the ship and his gunnery unit which downed it. His ship earned three battle stars for service in the Leyte Gulf, Lingayen Gulf and Mindanao Island landings. He served in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters, earning two personal citations for service the Asiatic Pacific Medal w/ 2 stars, Philippine Liberation Medal, European African Middle Eastern Medal w/ 1 star in addition to numerous unit citations. Albert returned home where he met Mary Panzica and they were married and began their family. He worked for over 30 years as a letter carrier for the Northampton Post Office, while working for 14 years at Hampshire Lumber. Al and Mary shared 70 years of love, family, and happiness together. They enjoyed dancing with the Elks Club on weekends and over the years also visited many countries on 26 different cruises. They were life members of the Northampton Elks Lodge 997 and the National Association of Letter Carriers. Al was predeceased by his loving wife of 70 years, in 2019, his parents and all his siblings; Joseph, Anthony, Americo, Helen and Mabel. He leaves his daughter Marilyn and husband Kerry McEntee of Meriden Connecticut, sons, Gary and Joseph, of Northampton. Granddaughters, Caitlin Gimpl and Brenna McEntee, two great grand-children, Dillon and Hadley and many nieces and nephews. THE FAMILY WILL RECEIVE FRIENDS ON THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 27, 2023, AT AHEARN FUNERAL HOME, 783 BRIDGE RD., NORTHAMPTON FROM 9:00 TO 10:30 A.M. FOLLOWED BY A LITURGY OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL AT 11:00 A.M. AT ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CHURCH, KING ST., NORTHAMPTON. Burial will follow the mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Northampton where Albert will be interred alongside his wife, with US Navy honors and the Rites of Catholic Committal. The family also thanks Donna Kasseris for the years of care, for both mom and dad. We have been blessed to have the best, most committed and loving parents anyone could ever have asked for. We love you and will miss you always, but our hearts smile knowing that you are reunited once again and are with God and family eternally.