Patrick W. Cassidy

PATRICK WILLIAM CASSIDY A loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed away on January 27, 2009 at his home with his family around him after a long illness. Patrick was born in St. Joseph, MI on March 17th, 1927 to William and Ella (Knuth) Cassidy, who preceded him in death. He married Betty Kirby on July 3rd, 1948 in Benton Harbor, MI. and had celebrated 60 years of marriage in July 2008. Along with his wife survivors include his four daughters, Patti (Bill) Bush of Knox, IN, Peggy DeVries of St. Joseph, MI, Debbie (Greg) Cook of Port St. Joe, FL, and Bonnie (Bryan) Horvath of Edwardsburg, MI, 8 Grandchildren – Hollie (George) Grantz, Jonathan (Renee) Bush, Tracy (Robert) Amid, Heather Cassidy, Amy (Jonathan) Draper, Peter (Beth) Cook, Paul and Michael Horvath, 8 Great-Grandchildren – Sydney and Rhegan Grantz, Koleton Bush, Alyssa and Kirsten Bauer, Gabriel Amid, Charlie and Nathaniel Draper, sister Frances Hammer of Watervliet, MI, and sister-in-law Helen Cassidy of St. Joseph, MI. Preceding him in death are four brothers, Richard, Herman, Herbert, Paul and two sisters Mary Aviles and Esther McCarthy. Pat served in the U.S. Navy during WWII on the USS Breton as a gunner. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post # 1137, Benton Harbor, MI. He was a truck driver for 30 years and retired from Interstate Motor Freight on March 17, 1984. In 1983, the American Trucking Association honored him with Driver of the Year for the month of June. He enjoyed story telling and singing silly songs to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren along with fishing, camping, gardening, jigsaw puzzles, hooked rugs, macramed chairs, woodworking, carpentry, plumbing and making wine for family and friends. Pat enjoyed spending the winters in Florida and making new friends. He could have a conversation with anyone on anything. If you were in need of help he was always available. He attended St. Joseph First United Methodist Church prior to his illness. Pat will be truly missed by everyone who knew him. Visitation will be held from 5:00PM to8:00PM Thursday, January 29, 2009 at Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home, St. Joseph. Funeral service will be held at 11:30 AM Friday January 30, 2009 at Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home, St. Joseph with Reverend Wade Panse officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memorial Gardens, Coloma, MI with military rites conducted by Coloma American Legion Post 362, VFW Post 1137-Benton Harbor & VFW Post 6803-Watervliet. Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church St. Joseph, MI or Hospice at Home of St. Joseph, MI. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.