Michael Coleman Cassidy was born on December 27, 1938 in Glendale California to James and Gwen Cassidy. He attended Hoover High School in Glendale, graduating in 1957, and was an accomplished football and track star during his time there. He was a proud member of the Marine Reserves and attended Woodbury College in Los Angeles. He married his High School Sweetheart, Rita Jean Howe on December 20, 1958. He began his career in Veterinary Sales with Sharpe and Vejar and continued for over 40 years as the company changed hands. He had a great career and was an awesome salesman, almost always taking top sales honors and winning a multitude of travel trips all over the world - Tahiti, Bora Bora, Mo'orea, Hawaii, Spain and others. He and Rita joined the Sierra Veterinary Medical Association, where they made life-long friends and were able to expand their traveling to many winter ski areas in the US as well as Canada and Switzerland.
Mike and Rita had three children, James in 1961, Sherri in 1963 and John in 1970. They bought a home in Seal Beach in the early 60's and stayed there until 1981, when they moved down to Escondido, California. They bought a cabin in Big Bear, California in 1970, where the kids spent lots of time in the summer boating on the lake and in the winter, learned to snow ski and board. There were also other snow ski trips to Utah and Colorado as well as boating trips to Lake Powell, Mead and Mojave with families that they had met through SVMA.
In the 70's Mike started a long tradition of attending USC home football games. This was something he shared with his two sons and later his grandson, Jared. They were very special times of tailgating and making new friends with similar passions.
He and Rita also traveled extensively in Europe and introduced his daughter and son-in-law, Jeff, to the United Kingdom which turned into a life-long love affair. They were able to share four trips together and made wonderful memories.
Mike's career was cut short by a stroke just before his 69th birthday. He loved his job and would have continued working indefinitely, but for the stroke. He worked hard at rehab and regained strength and mobility, but always struggled with communication. When we had trouble figuring out what he was trying to say, it was a fun time of charades, hand signals and drawing letters in the air. He always knew what he wanted to say, it just didn't always come out. He was extremely sharp to the end!
Just before the pandemic, Mike and Rita moved into a Board and Care home after he had taken a fall and needed more help with daily care. We were so fortunate that this opportunity presented itself so that they could remain together. They would have celebrated 64 years of marriage December 20, 2022. Mike went to be with his Heavenly Father on December 10, 2022. He is survived by his wife Rita; his children James, Sherri, and John; sister Patricia; sister-in-law Ginger; son-in-law Jeffery; daughter-in-law Kim; grandchildren Jared and Isabella; as well as numerous special nieces, nephews and cousins. He was kind, generous, hilarious, hard-working and a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, and Friend who will be greatly missed.
We love you, Pop!!
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Michael's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, https://www.alz.org/?form=alz_donate.
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