I learned yesterday that Cass Avona (Kid Pizza) passed away January 23, 2024. He had been in declining health, fell, was moved into hospice, and apparently died shortly thereafter.

I found out because my Christmas card, posted on Dec. 19, came back on January 31, marked that the addressee was not known. I sent an email to his address a couple of days later, in case I had the wrong address, as he had moved at least three times. Yesterday, a person responded on his email to tell me the details I have related above.

I will miss his occasional phone calls and the baking and cooking knowledge that he shared with us here and on the Baking Circle.