James Cassidy

James Mark Cassidy passed away December 8, 2025. He was 83 years old. The eldest of six children, he grew up on the north side of Chicago in the Sauganash neighborhood. After one year at Archbishop Quigley Prepatory Seminary, Jim transferred to Saint George High School, Evanston, IL from which he graduated in 1959 at the age of sixteen. He attended St. Mary College in Winona, MN and graduated in 1963 with a degree in English. After college, Jim served in the Army National Guard, and thereafter, the Reserves.

In 1964, Jim joined his father and uncle's plastering company, Cassidy Brothers. Following in his father's footsteps, he began as a plasterer. As Jim moved from the field to the office, he was involved in many notable projects, including the completion of plastering contract at the Sears Tower in 1973, wall and ceiling projects in many Chicagoland hospitals and high-rise residential buildings. Throughout his career, he maintained memberships with trade organizations such as AWCI, the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industries - International. In 1998, after serving as the AWCI President from 1993-1994, he was awarded the Pinnacle Award in recognition of a lifetime of service to the industry.

Jim and his family enjoyed a second home at Abbey Springs, in Fontana, WI, where Jim was able to golf to his heart's content. After moving to Park Ridge, IL in the mid-1980's, Jim continued to pursue his love of golf by joining the Park Ridge Country Club, and he remained an active member for decades. Jim possessed a charitable heart, and throughout the years, raised money and donated to favored charities such as The Maryland School for the Blind, The ARC Baltimore, Holy Family Hospital and JOURNEYS|The Road Home.

Loving husband of Patricia Murphy; Adored father of Micaela (Brad Steinkamp) Cassidy, Beth (Jeff Powers) Nabors, and the late Daniel (Zari) Cassidy; Cherished grandfather of Alex (Brandy) Nabors, Chloe Nabors, Jessica Cassidy, Michael Cassidy, and Danny Cassidy as well as numerous step-grandchildren; Caring son of the late James Michael and the late Mary Ellen; Devoted brother to Noreen (Mamdouh) Ishak, Kate (John) Wenning, Patricia (James) Rosner, Martin (Kathy) Cassidy, and Marita (Michael) Kosco; Uncle, and friend, to all who knew him.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 9:30AM until time of Mass, 10:30AM, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2515 W. Palatine Rd., Inverness. Interment All Saints Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in the name of James Mark Cassidy may be made to The ARC Baltimore or JOURNEYS|The Road. Arrangements entrusted to Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home. For info, 847-359-8020.