Honoring a Local Hero

Honoring a local hero and the legacy of Johnny Rush

By Krystle J Bailey

Egg Harbor Township resident, Pasquale Cassese has been an upstanding citizen his entire life. At 22 years old, this local hero has seen his fair share of hardships and has never let life knock him down. Pasquale is currently serving in the U.S. Navy on his first deployment of seven months, scheduled to return this December.

Pasquale is described as an exemplary member of society by everyone who knows him. “The kind of kid who shovels the elderly neighbors driveways after every single snow,” says Jon Baker, long time neighbor.

Raised by his single mother, Joanie Lombard, Pasquale was inspired by his neighbor and lifelong friend and father figure, Johnny Rush. Rush, who was a local hero himself, along with his wife Ellen were instrumental in raising Pasquale. As Joanie worked hard to provide for her son over the course of his childhood, the Rush family never hesitated to take care of Pasquale, even keeping him overnight on many occasions so his mother could go to work.

“They [Johnny and Ellen Rush] have done so much for me. I couldn’t have done it without them.” says Pasquales mother, Joanie.

During his time spent with Johnny Rush, who served in Vietnam in the Marine Corps, Pasquale became inspired to serve in the United States military himself. Pasquale excelled through grade school and high school in the local Catholic school system. During his Junior year, he was nominated for the U.S. Naval Academy but didn’t get accepted. That didn’t stop Pasquale from pursuing what meant the most to him. He went on to study at Norwich University, the oldest Military university in the world. Entering college as an ROTC, Pasquale got straight A’s while also performing as a superb athlete on the rugby field. During his Junior year of college, Pasquale was nominated to be a commissioned officer and was given a two year scholarship totalling $116,000 for sports and academics.

On May 12th, 2018, Pasquale graduated at the top of his class from Norwich University with two National Honor Society awards – for grades and for civil engineering. This past Mother’s Day, Pasquale was commissioned into the US Navy and deployed two weeks later.

Behind all of Pasquale’s accomplishments, there were plenty of hardships. In 2016, Pasquale’s mother Joanie faced a battle with breast cancer, ultimately undergoing a full mastectomy. She is now cancer free. Right before Christmas of 2017, Pasquale lost his father and in the same year, he lost his grandmother. Pasquale’s hero, Johnny Rush, who was intended to pin Pasquale at his Naval Academy pinning ceremony, sadly passed away on May 9th – just two days before the ceremony.

Through all of his family struggles, Pasquale has continued to put a smile on his face and step up as a local and now, National hero serving the United States of America. He is described by those who love him as selfless, caring, and a stand-up citizen. Pasquale is pursuing a lifelong career in the U.S. Navy. As his mother prepares to give him the hug she has been waiting for when he returns on December 21st, we wanted to honor him and celebrate the accomplishments of Pasquale Casssse and say – Thank You for your service!