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Principal Casanega has died
A story in the San Francisco Chronicle Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 reported that Ken Casanega has died at age 100 in Medford, Oregon. While the story told of his sports and military accomplishments, we remember him as our high school principal. He was the last living member of the original 49ers.
Principal Casanega honored
Ken Casanega, Mr. Casanega, our principal, was featured in the San Francisco Chronicle today, March 16. It was the "headline" story on the sports page. He turned 100 Feb. 18! What a life story! He was honored for being one of the NFL's oldest living players. What many of us did not know is that he was also a WWII hero. What an amazing story!
It is a long story. (See link at the end for the complete story.)
From the Chronicle story by Eric Branch:
Ken Casanega, born three years after World War I and eight years before the start of the Great Depression, is still going.
The oldest living member of the 49ers, 73 years removed from his last game, celebrated his 100th birthday Feb. 18 at The Springs at Veranda Park, a senior living center in Medford, Ore. Casanega is believed to be one of the NFL’s oldest living players — the league’s alumni association doesn’t have complete records — but what is certain is that he is the last surviving player from the 1946 49ers, the first team in franchise history…
…But his story, upon closer examination of his 100 years, is about far more than long runs from long ago and longevity. His well-lived life has little to do with how well he played football. Instead, his legacy is about his enduring qualities that informed the decisions he made — to serve his country, to prioritize his marriage and to honor a college teammate — that came at the expense of gridiron glory…
…Ken Casanega was a math teacher, became the principal at Napa High School when he was 31, earned his Ph.D. from Cal and was the superintendent of the San Benito High School District in Hollister when he retired in 1980…
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/An-original-49er-Ken-Casanega-s-remarkable-16020195.php
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