James F. Cassidy

A native of Cincinnati and longtime resident of Baton Rouge, he died at his home on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, after a lengthy illness. He is survived by the wife he adored for 63 years, Betty, and their four sons and daughters-in-law and their families, James F. Cassidy and his wife, Sandra, of Randolph, Mass., and their daughters, Amy, Debbie, Karen and Beth; David Cassidy and his wife, Camille, of Baton Rouge, and children, Tyler Smith, Dr. Erin Thibault and Chandler Smith; Steve Cassidy and his wife, Jan, of Baton Rouge, and their children, Camille and Stephen, and Congressman Dr. Bill Cassidy and his wife, Dr. Laura Cassidy, and their children, Will, Meg and Kate; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, James F. and Myfanwy Morgan Cassidy, who was a native of Wales and known to family and friends as Fanny; grandson, James Philip Cassidy, who was of Randolph; sister, Edith Cassidy Provost, who was of Monteagle, Tenn.; and a cousin who was like a sister, Kathryn McKeown Bosler, who was of Jekyll Island, Ga. He was a Chartered Life Underwriter and an agent for New York Life Insurance Co. for more than 40 years. He held a lifetime membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table and was active in many business and professional organizations. He served as president of the Baton Rouge Association of Life Underwriters, Sales & Marketing Executives of Baton Rouge, the Navy League Council of Baton Rouge and the Tara High Boosters Club. He was a U.S. Army Air Forces veteran of World War II having served in the Pacific Theater. A memorial service, officiated by the Rev. Canon R. Brien Koehler, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, where Jim and Betty have been members for almost 50 years. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. The family wishes to thank his caregivers, Betty Jean Winzey, Barbara Hall and Christine Haymond, who made him comfortable during his illness, and the staffs at Hospice of Baton Rouge and St. Joseph Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations to the LSU Foundation for the James F. Cassidy Professorship, 3838 W. Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge, LA. 70808; the Greater Baton Rouge Community Clinic, P.O. Box 65373, Baton Rouge, LA 70896; or St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 8833 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806, be considered. He never asked to be served, rather he served others, always putting family, friends and clients first. He will be most remembered for his devotion, diligence and acts of generosity.