Richard Paul Cassidy

ST. JOSEPH – Richard Paul Cassidy, 82, of St. Joseph, passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2007, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A service celebrating his life will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 27, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home in St. Joseph with Father Bill Jacobs officiating. Burial with military rites will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens in Hagar Shores. Friends may visit with the family on Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Lake Michigan Catholic High School Athletic Department or Donor’s Choice. Dick was born on April 20, 1924, in St. Joseph, to William and Ella (Knuth) Cassidy. He attended St. Joseph Catholic High School where he was actively involved in athletics. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1942 until 1945 when he was honorably discharged. On November 27, 1947, he married Helen Kirby in Benton Harbor. He retired as a truck driver from Holland Motor Express. He spent many of his retirement years transporting cars for local dealers. He also enjoyed traveling with his family. He was a lifetime member of the VFW #1137 of Benton Harbor, and a member of both the Stevensville American Legion Post 568 and Benton Harbor Moose Lodge. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helen Cassidy of St. Joseph; two daughters, Judy (Bill) Hartzell of Mayville, Mich., and JoAnn Ingraham of St. Joseph; a brother, Patrick (Betty) Cassidy of St. Joseph; a sister, Frances Hammer of Watervliet; five grandchildren, Julie (Lars) Adolphson, Rebecca Hartzell, William Hartzell, Benjamin Ingraham, and Carrie Ingraham; and two great-grandchildren, Lara and Jakob Adolphson. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Pauline Cassidy in 1948; a son in-law, Howard Ingraham; three brothers, Herman, Herbert, and Paul Cassidy; and two sisters, Esther McCartney and Mary Aviles.