Dennis Cassella

On September 5th, 2025 Dennis G Cassella passed away peacefully at Sierra View Senior Living facility, supported by his husband, siblings, and Unity friends who visited and kept vigil.

Dennis was born in Pratt, KS in 1946 to Norma Jeanne and Curtis Ashwell, and was preceded in death by both; by his father by adoption, Barney Cassella; his brother Robyn and sister Kathy. He is survived by his husband Rev. Jere Farrell, sisters Lynda Radey-Porter (John), Carol Mosby (Scott), and brother Jim (Nadine), sister-in-law Sally, and numerous nieces, nephews and their children.

Dennis attended Hiram Johnson and Luther Burbank Senior High Schools in Sacramento; Sacramento City College; Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas; University of Alaska, Anchorage; and he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from University of California/Davis in 1971. He earned a Master of Public Administration from Texas A&M University in 1975. He earned an Associate degree in Accounting from Sierra College in 1980. He was an instructor with Golden Gate University, Sacramento from 1979 until 2000 and earned the position of Senior Adjunct Professor of Public Administration with Golden Gate University in 1990.

He was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force, serving from 3/1966 to 12/1969 in Kansas and Alaska.

In 1971 Dennis began his working career as a civilian employee of the U. S. Army in depot supply management. A short time later, 1972, he was hired as an Assistant to the City Manager and then City Personnel Director for Texarkana, Arkansas where he worked until 1975. In 1975 he received a governor's appointment to the Department of Local Government Services in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Dennis worked for Nevada County Government starting in 1977 and retired as General Services Director and Emergency Services Director in 2002. He dedicated 4 more years as a part-time employee writing the Nevada County Emergency Action Plan. His community service includes 40 years as a Gold Country Lion; serving on the Boards of the Firesafe Council; Hospice of the Foothills; Nevada County Library Foundation; the local RPEA chapter; RPEA of California; the Constitution Day Parade Committee (he depicted "John Quincy Adams" in the Marching Presidents and played Town Crier on the parade eve) ; the Nevada Cemetery District; the Grass Valley Personnel Committee; the Placer-Nevada Tahoe Forest Resource Advisory Committee (RAC); Nevada County Pride; Yuba River Recreation LGBT+ Camping Group; numerous volunteer positions at Unity including Volunteer Coordinator and overseeing the renovation of the building. Dennis invariably was often voted by his peers to be the Chairperson of their boards and committees. His almost 50 years of service to the county as an employee and volunteer were recognized by the Board of Supervisors on September 24th, 2024 at their monthly meeting. His last Board service was at Sierra View Senior Living, where he lived from February 2025, as temporary Residential Council chairperson.

Dennis dearly loved his Australian Shepherds; cookies of any type; going to Hawaii; cruising with family and friends; his mom's annual Christmas party; playing cards weekly for 23 years with Sue, Clarence, Dennis, Penny, Claire, Jay and Mary; his much loved family of origin; his Unity family; Irish and Hawaiian music; his many roses and especially his Double Delights; and peach milk shakes from Happy Apple.

Huge gratitude and thanks go to- his family who loved and supported him throughout his life; to owner Lisa Vixie Winget and the staff of Sierra View Residential Care where he received loving care; to Hospice of the Foothills staff who assisted in his last months; the congregation of Unity in the Gold Country who loved and appreciated him right up to the end.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Unity in the Gold Country, 180 Cambridge Court, Grass Valley on Saturday, September 20th at 11:30 a.m. The service will be livestreamed and available on the Unity in the Gold Country YouTube Channel. Aloha shirts or Tropical attire encouraged. Cookies will of course be served. No flowers. No trees. No donations.