The wake for Father James M. Cassidy, senior priest, retired, will take place 4-7 p.m. March 26 at Regina Health Center, 5232 Broadview Road, Richfield. There will be no vespers.
Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries will celebrate Father Cassidy’s funeral Mass at 11 a.m. March 27 at Regina Health Center. Father Mike Frantz will be the homilist.
Father Cassidy, 94, died March 24.
He was born May 30, 1929 to the late Charles and Florence (Knittle) Cassidy. Father Cassidy was educated at St. Rose School and West Technical High School, both in Cleveland, Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe and Saint Mary Seminary in Cleveland.
Bishop Floyd Begin ordained him to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on May 20, 1961 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Father Cassidy’s first assignment was as parochial vicar of Annunciation Parish in Akron. He was transferred to Holy Name Parish in Cleveland on June 9, 1969 to serve as parochial vicar. On Sept. 30, 1969, he was appointed parochial vicar of St. Adalbert Parish in Berea and on June 17, 1970, he was assigned as parochial vicar at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Gates Mills. Father Cassidy was transferred to St. Mary Parish in Lorain on Nov. 23, 1970 to serve as parochial vicar. He was appointed parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish in Amherst on June 27, 1979.
Father Cassidy served as pastor of St. Edward Parish in Ashland from Feb. 8, 1980 until Aug. 31, 2010. In addition to this assignment, he was appointed moderator of the Ashland/Wayne/Medina Regional Council, NCCW.
He was granted retirement on Aug. 31, 2010.
Those who knew him said Father Cassidy would be remembered for his devotion to Archbishop Fulton Sheen, his great smile, dedication to the people entrusted to his care and his admiration and love of the Blessed Mother.
Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Valley City.