Andrew Richard Kasa

Andrew ‘Andy’ Kasa was born and raised in Buffalo, New York in a multigenerational, Polish speaking household.  

In his youth, he loved fishing the Niagara River with his cousin Bobby and found his second home on the basketball court. He excelled in the sport through high school, city leagues, regional and state championships, and finally in college at Erie County Technical Institute.

His first professional cooking role was with The Red Lobster, followed by a long career in California at country clubs, retirement communities, hospitals, and The Dana Point Yacht Club. He fulfilled his lifelong dream to own a bar and restaurant with the Wagon Wheel Saloon in San Clemente, California. Clint Eastwood filmed a scene from his movie, Heartbreak Ridge, in the bar.   

Andy was a simple man with a simple faith, happiest when working or enjoying time outdoors. He loved a good joke, music, good food, and donuts. He worked hard and instilled a strong work ethic and love of nature in his children. Enjoying coffee and pastries in Laguna Beach, and camping are family highlights. 

In his later years, he enjoyed sitting on the patio of his home in San Clemente and enjoying the warm weather and spectacular sunsets. His TV was usually tuned into horseracing or basketball.  This year he will have a front row seat to the NBA Championships and NCAA March Madness Tournament. We will miss sharing his joy watching a good play and his colorful tales of the game highlights. 

A special thank you to the Fourth-floor team at Baxter Regional Medical Center, Care Manor, Hospice House (Hospice of the Ozarks), and St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. The medical professionals and spiritual caretakers were a blessing to him and our family during his final days.  

Andy is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Jeanette Kasa, sisters Dorothy and Irene, wife Margaret (Kaes), son Richard, and grandson Robert.  He leaves behind his wife Karen, daughters Mary, Janette Hunter and husband Todd, Teri Clark and husband James, stepdaughters Nicole and Cori Murray, grandchildren Courtney, Margo, Zach, Reif, Max, and great granddaughter Taylor.

Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to Hospice House (Hospice of the Ozarks), St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church in Mountain Home, AR, or Age Well Dorothy Visser Senior Center in San Clemente, CA.