Arch Wilson Cassidy

CASSIDY Arch Wilson Cassidy, age 74, passed away on Thursday, July 19, 2007. He was born in Bradenton, Florida and moved to Jacksonville in 1945. He was the son of the late Archibald Richard and Eula Carney Cassidy. He attended Lee High School and graduated from the University of Florida in 1955 where he was a three year letterman in football for the Gators. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins but instead, served in the US Navy as a supply officer for three years. In 1958, he started his life long career in the insurance business with The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. He became a district manager in 1963 and manager of the Cassidy Agency in 1967, following in the footsteps of his father. He served as president of the Old Guard, Equitable's National Management Association. He was also a member of Equitable's Hall of Fame and was a Chartered Life Underwriter and a Chartered Financial Consultant. Arch was very active in both national and local insurance organizations. He was past president of the General Agents and Managers National Conference, the Florida General Agents and Managers Association, the Jacksonville General Agents and Managers Association, and the Jacksonville Estate Planning Council. He served on the Board of Directors of the Jacksonville Chapter of the American Society of Chartered Life Underwriters and the Jacksonville Association of Life Underwriters. Arch participated in many charitable and civic organizations in Jacksonville. He is a past Chairman of The St. Vincent's Foundation and served as President of the Northeast Florida Heart Association, and the YMCA. He was a member of the Board of Directors of St. Vincent's Hospital, Riverside Hospital, Riverside Foundation, the Vision is Priceless Council and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. He served as President of Timuquana Country Club, Captain of the Jacksonville Quarterback Club, and was a long standing member of Meninak. He was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry. He also served on the Finance Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. Arch is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lo Barnes Cassidy; their two daughters, Catherine Stirling Cassidy Smith (Blair) of New York City, and Beverley Cassidy Brooke (Thomas) of Jacksonville; along with four grandchildren, Claiborne Alexander Livingston Smith, Stirling Palmer DeVŽre Smith, Thomas Ralston Brooke Jr., and Archibald Livingston Brooke. He is also survived by his brother, James Pittman Cassidy (Miki) of Marks, Mississippi; his sister, Julie Cassidy Williams of Jacksonville; his sister-in-law, Carol Tompkins Cassidy of Jacksonville; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Carney Cassidy; his sister, Nancy Cassidy Boone; and brother-in-law, Joseph Hanson Williams. A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Ortega, on Tuesday, July 24, at 3:30 pm, followed by a reception at the Cassidy home. The honorary pallbearers will be Leland Burpee, Billy Howell, Rad Lovett, Jack McCormack, Sandy Morris, Bob Shircliff, Ken Taratus, Ray Terry, and Jim Winston. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, the St. Vincent's Foundation, or the University of Florida. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com