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Family, friends and teammates, together with members of the Massapequa and Long Island youth hockey communities, will gather this week to mourn the passing of Connor Kasin, a 17-year-old senior at Massapequa High School who tragically died after collapsing during a charity hockey game Saturday night in Bethpage.
Connor, a proud member of the Massapequa Chiefs varsity hockey team, collapsed during an intermission of the game at the Town of Oyster Bay Skating Center. Despite immediate CPR efforts by bystanders and later attempts by medics, Connor was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The news has shaken the Massapequa community, where Connor was cherished for his kindness, determination and passion for hockey.
Connor began skating almost from the time he was able to walk and harbored a love for hockey from early childhood. after progressing through Town of Oyster Bay youth leagues and travel teams, Connor experience his greatest pride as a hockey player, wearing the Massapequa Chiefs jersey — having earned a spot on varsity as a sophomore.
A leader and fierce competitor
Teammates and coaches remember him for his determination, boundless energy and fierce defending, as well as for his sportsmanship and leadership both on and off the ice.
On Saturday, Connor was playing in a memorial game honoring Syosset High School graduate Sabrina Navaetta, 19, who died last year in car crash in Delaware.
Beyond hockey, Connor was a member of his high school’s band and was deeply devoted to his family, often traveling with them for games or enjoying annual trips to Mexico, according to his obituary.
Connor is survived by his parents, Mary and Craig Kasin; brothers Christian and Cole, grandparents Bruce and Mary-Ann Kasin, great grandmother Honey; and an extended family of 12 aunts, 13 uncles and 25 first-cousins.
Schedule of services
Visitation for Connor will take place at Massapequa Funeral Home South Chapel on Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 7 to 9 p.m., and Thursday, Dec. 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
A funeral mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. William the Abbot Roman Catholic Church in Seaford, with burial taking place at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.
Local officials share condolences
On Sunday, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman expressed his condolences in a Facebook post to Connor’s family and friends.
“A terrible tragedy for the Massapequa community. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of 12th grade student, Connor Kasin, who sadly passed during a charity varsity ice hockey game in Bethpage,” he wrote. “My deepest condolences to Connor’s family, loved ones, friends and teammates.”
Congressman Anthony D’Esposito also shared his condolences.
So sad to learn of the passing of Connor Kasin, a 12th grade student from Massapequa who tragically passed away while playing in a charity hockey game.
— Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (@RepDesposito) December 1, 2024
My thoughts and prayers are with Connor’s family & the entire Massapequa community as they mourn this terrible loss. pic.twitter.com/OJZGrBwh12
