Paul
Cascio: How to Choose?
On a summer weekend, when the Cascios were expecting
their elder son, Paul, to show up at the family's beach
home with a guest, in he strode, with -- 15 friends?
"Mom, Mom," he said beguilingly, "how could we
choose?"
Mr. Cascio, 23, was the tour director for a flotilla
of friends, who followed in his wake on adventures around
the world. Happily spending every penny he earned, Mr.
Carpe Diem, a proud denizen of downtown Manhattan, went
scuba diving in Fiji and skiing wherever the air smelled
of snow. He flew to Los Angeles and Dublin, just to see
U2 concerts. A friend would mention a half-idea of a trip
and Mr. Cascio, a newly minted vice president at Euro
Brokers, would reply, "Done! We're doing it!"
He was blunt. He played pranks that were hilarious but
annoying. Impatient, he always arrived early. But he also
beamed solicitous concern on friends and relatives. When
his parents were separating, he called his mother, Janet,
every morning for six months: "Let's plan your day. What
will make you happy?"
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