Lawrence J. Cassidy

Lawrence J. Cassidy, 71, died suddenly October 5, 2005. The rosary will be prayed at 9:00am, Friday, October 7, 2005 followed with visitation until 10:30am followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am at Our Lady of Presentation Church, 130 N.W. Murray Road, Lee's Summit, MO. Entombment will be at Mt. Olivet Mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 6800 W. 93rd St., Overland Park, KS 66212 or the Kansas City Cancer Center, 7949 Bond, Overland Park, KS 66214. Larry was born February 27, 1934 in Kansas City, MO to Louis J. and Anna M. (Enright) Cassidy, who preceded him in death. He attended Benton School, Central Junior High and graduated from Central High School. Larry also graduated from Kansas City Junior College, attended the University of Missouri in Columbia and graduated from Rockhurst College in 1976. Larry married Mary Lou in Kansas City, MO on February 18, 1956. He spent two years in the US Army and retired in 1995 from AT&T (Western Electric in Lee's Summit) following 26 years of service. Larry loved baseball. No clock, no stalling, you've got to play and somebody's got to win just like living. The eight happiest, and most frustrating (due to the parents), years of his life, were spent managing baseball teams in the South Suburban Junior Baseball Association in the Hickman Mills area. Mary Lou was the team's scorekeeper. His girls spent the summer playing in the dirt behind the backstop at ClarkKetterman Field. During this time, Larry got to watch the development of one of the best shortstops Larry ever saw in his son, Bill. Larry always insisted that his teams looked neat, and exhibit noticeable sportsmanship while playing hard and having fun. Larry taught the boys, "Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is." When he was finished managing, Larry and Mary Lou got season tickets to watch the Royals play during their glory Years. Unbeknownst to the players, Brett, White, Otis, Patek, Porter, Rojas, et al became their boys. His favorite saying was "In baseball, there is no such thing as a dull baseball game - only dull people watching it." Larry loved his gorgeous wife, Mary Lou, his great kids, grandchildren, parents, and all acquaintances for giving him such a great life. Left behind to remember him is his loyal, faithful and beautiful wife, Mary Lou. They were four months shy of celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. She made Larry a better person. His kids all have their own families to love and cherish as he loved and cherished them. His boy, Bill, and his son Mike; daughters, Peggy and her husband Chris Huber and their children, Molly, Kevin, Katie and Annie; Patty and her husband, Phil Lomax and their children, Tim, Sarah and Dani; Polly and her husband Tom Westermayer and their children Matt, PJ, Jake, Abby, Gracie, Johnny, Hannah and Betsy; a great grandchild and his sister Kathleen also survives. You all must know that while Grandpa is happy that he's getting to see his Mom and Dad again, he's missing all of you so much it hurts. He'll be watching over all of you as you live and make him proud. He's glad he got to spend a little time with each and every one of you. It is always said that when we die, we go to a better place. It's just really hard for Larry to see how it could be a better place than the one he just left. (Arrangements: Muehlebach Funeral Home, 816-444-2060)