Paul Joseph Kassis

Kassis, Paul Joseph Formerly of Antigo, WI, died peacefully at his home in Lakeville on Feb. 7, surrounded by his family and close friends after a year long battle with cancer. Paul was born Sept. 9, 1970 in Antigo, the son of Timothy and Rebecca (Cahak) Kassis. A graduate of Antigo High School class of 1988, Paul went on to attend UW Eau Claire and then received his MBA from St. Thomas University. He was employed by Fluke Networks as a Global Account Manager. Paul met the love of his life and best friend Shelly (Faxvog) and they were united in marriage on October 20, 2001 in Minnesota. Shelly and Paul lived in Arizona, and later returned to Minnesota . In 2005, they began the adoption process to bring his Lady Bug Ana home from Guatemala. During this time, Paul continued working full time, studying for his MBA, and travelling to Guatemala to be with Shelly and Ana. With their determination and love they came home in the spring of 2007 with Ana, just in time for Father's Day. Paul was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cholangiocarcinoma on Feb. 8, 2008. Upon his diagnosis, Paul immediately began to fight with strength and determination. Paul researched treatment options, aggressively pursuing all of them in hopes of curing the terrible disease. After receiving treatment at the Mayo Clinic and participating in a clinical trial at MD Anderson in Houston, it was determined that nothing more could be done; however, Paul did not give up. He came home and started reevaluating alternative treatment options. Before they could be pursued, Paul became more sick. During the last days of Paul's life, he was surrounded by many family members and close friends. Being the giving person that Paul was, he made sure each person had the chance to say goodbye. Even in death Paul counted his blessings. Paul is survived by his beautiful wife, Shelly Kassis of Lakeville, MN; daughter, Ana Rae; parents, Tim and Becki Kassis of Antigo; sister, Elizabeth (Dan Steinberg) of Golden, CO; brother, Danny (Lindsay Secard) of Madison; maternal grandmother, Nesta Cahak of Antigo; paternal grandfather, Dr. Harry Kassis of Sacramento, CA; mother and father-in- law, Chuck and Sandy Packard; father and mother-in-law, Tom and Pat Faxvog; brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Christy Rother; brother and sister-in-law, Matt and Kelly Ward; sister and brother-in-law, Mike and Aimee Kern; nieces and nephews, Jake, Ellie, Tatum, Sydney, Avery, Krsyha, Hudson, and Gannon. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 AM Sat., Feb. 14 at St. John Catholic Church in Antigo, WI, with Fr. Daniel F. Kassis officiating. Visitation will take place 4-8 PM Friday at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home in Antigo with parish wake at 4 PM. A second visitation will be 9:30 AM until the time of services Saturday at church. In lieu of flowers the family will be directing memorial to the Paul Kassis Memorial Scholarship and cholangiocarcinoma research. Friends may visit www.strasserrollerfh.com. A special thank you to the staff at MD Anderson, the University of MN, Fairview Hospice, and all who prayed for Paul and his family over the past year
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.