David H. Cassidy

White River Jct., VT - David Hugh Cassidy was born July 3, 1936, in Lebanon, NH, and passed away in W. Lebanon on August 13, 2023. He and his parents, Eileen and Hugh Cassidy (who were both born and raised in Enosburg Falls, VT) lived in White River Jct. for his first few years, then moved to Newport, VT, where his parents remained for the rest of their lives. David's first and last homes were ironically both in White River Jct, VT, as he had returned to the area after his retirement to be near his beloved Dartmouth College.

David attended the Newport public schools and was active in sports there, especially baseball and skiing. He became an Eagle Scout which made his parents especially proud. He has remained close throughout his life with friends he met as far back as nursery school. He graduated from Dartmouth College with a BS in Chemistry in 1958, and later received his MBA from NYU. David served in the US Army Reserves.

On June 14, 1959, he married the love of his life, Corrinne Grace Secondo, and embraced her 3 children: Butch, Michael and Suzanne as his own. They later welcomed two other children, Ruth and David, Jr.

David worked for Johnson & Johnson for 25 years in management and executive positions, mostly in New Jersey and Windsor, VT. He then took a position as COO at Eastern University in Philadelphia and has served as a director on several corporate boards.

Together, David and Corrinne led an adventurous life, even after retirement, hiking 1100 miles of the Appalachian Trail one summer while in their 60's, and serving as Christian missionaries in Moldova and Tajikistan. They remained in contact with the friends they met on the trail as well as on their missions, frequently hosting them at their home.

David remained fit and active his whole life and seemed to defy the odds after he developed Parkinson's Disease around 12 years ago. He was determined to stay as functional as possible and continued to downhill and x-country ski up until 4 years ago, competing in the Stowe Derby nearly every year that it was held, starting when he was 14 years old, when he came in 3rd in his age group. He won the event in 1954 as a senior in high school and has probably participated in the race more years than anyone else. He also competed several years in the 100-mile Canadian x-country marathon. David was a regular participant in The Prouty, a fundraiser for the Dartmouth Cancer Center, initially doing the 50-mile bike ride, and 2 years ago was able to complete the 5K walk. This past year, his friend Gabriela assisted him in completing the 5K road walk with him using a walker as able and being pushed in his wheelchair as needed. His determination was endless and an inspiration to all who knew him.

Mostly he will be remembered for being a devoted Christian family man, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. He was extremely devoted to his parents as they were aging and was a wonderful caregiver for his wife in her later years, even as he had developed his own challenges with PD. He was the most patient and kind soul and will be deeply missed.

He leaves behind his sister, Carol Cassidy Lawlor and her son Jacob; his daughter, Suzanne and her husband, David Weaverling, his daughter, Ruth and her husband, Richard Groeger, his son, David Cassidy, Jr. and his wife, Susan, granddaughter, Margo, her husband, Evan McGann, and their children, Theo and Caroline; grandson, John and his wife, Katherine, and grandson, Matthew. He was predeceased by his wife, Corrinne, parents, Hugh & Eileen Cassidy, brothers, John and Allen, and step-sons, Butch and Michael.

A service of remembrance and celebration will be held on Saturday, August 26th, at 2pm at the Thetford Baptist Church in East Thetford, VT. In addition, the service will be streamed at Thetfordbaptistchurch.org using the Sunday morning link.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Thetford Baptist Church. All donations will be used to support the church's mission fund, a passion and priority of David's.

Knight Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed in an online guestbook found at www.knightfuneralhomes.com