Birth date: Aug 6, 1944 Death date: Jan 30, 2016
The Rev. John Smith Cassidy, Jr. died at home due to complications from congestive heart failure on Saturday, January 30, 2016 in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii at the age of 71. He was born on August 6, 1944 in San Francisco, California, th Read Obituary
Pastor John officiated at our wedding and also my mother’s funeral. He was a sweet funny person with a big heart. I will always think of him with admiration.
Pastor John married us twenty-seven years ago today at Hope Lutheran Church in Daly City, CA. But we knew him long before that at St.Paulus Lutheran school, where the two of us were classmates and John was one grade ahead of us. Later, I worked for brief times under his supervision as an organist at Hope, and as secretary at Bethel Lutheran Church. I have never known a kinder boss. From Pastor John, we learned much about forgiveness, God's mercy, and the second-chances that life offers us when we least expect them. We mourn his passing from this life, but we look forward to our reunion in God's eternal home.
Sheila Bernstein (née Sheila Woodward)
Earl David Bernstein formerly known as David Morgan)
April 29, 2016
My memories of John are mostly from High School and Junior College in Oakland, and then at the Senior College in Ft. Wayne, as well as our short time together in St. Louis before he returned to our beloved California. In High School we were on the debate team, and enjoyed sparring verbally even then. He was a leader in District Walther League, while I enjoyed the local level of leadership. At the Senior College we were in the same dorm, played 2 handed pinochle and bridge in off moments, as well as late night trips for hamburgers or pizza and beer, most often with our room mates Virg Wilhelm and Dave Carter. Whatever we were studying at the time was grist for debate whether Russian history, American novels, ancient philosophy, theological concerns, the Vietnam war, race relations, or Virgle's latest mishaps with girl friends. Of course the debates were mild, because we shared too many of the same ideas and history. On the few occasions we happened to meet over the subsequent decades, our friendship continued as before. I have missed him and especially now, but the memories are good ones.
I just wanted to say how terrible I felt about John Cassidy's passing. We have known each other for a very longtime, it's been an honor to call him my friend. I've always been envious of him living Hawaii, so every year he would send me a calendar. That's the kind of friend he was. I am blessed to have had him in my life and now I will always caryy him around in my heart.
Sincerely,
Edward Gerstenkorn.
Dear family members,
I was sad to hear of Pastor John's death. As an interim pastor at Christ Lutheran in Hilo he became well respected and loved. His caring nature was especially evident when he flew back to Hilo when my husband passed away in 2013. They had become good friends when he was here and Pedar was able to know him through various church district events as well.
I can imagine Jesus welcoming him into his loving arms and saying "Well done, good and faithful servant." May He also hold you all in his arms and give you the strength and peace that only He can give.
Lana Wold
This is to pay tribute to a great man, who donated his life to serving his Lord. I know from experience he always would pray for any help or care you had. Rev. John Cassidy your big Irish smile will be missed. Your well deserved Crown in Heaven is where your faith has taken you.
The Wilkerson Family
