Joe Allen Cassidy Sr.

Joe was born on September 2, 1932 in Bakersfield, CA. The son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Cassidy. Joe was one of two children.

Joe had a love of flying from a very young age, sneaking out of his parents' house in the early hours of the morning to catch thermals in a glider, to joining the Navy to become a Pilot and ending up as a Fighter Pilot in the Marines holding the rank of Captain with VMFA 232 “Red Devils” flying FJ2 and FJ4 Furys.

Joe met his beloved wife Jean many, many years ago on a blind date. Joe was serving in the Marines and was tasked with picking up the newly released CH-37 Mojave Helicopters from Sikorsky in Stratford, CT when he went on a blind date with a woman named Jean. Ten days later they were engaged and shortly afterwards they were married on April 26, 1958 in Bakersfield, CA, while Joe was stationed in Tustin CA, Santa Ana Marine Base.

While Joe finished his time of service with the Marines, Jean worked at the Orange County Courthouse as a Tax Auditor. While in California Joe and Jean adopted two children, Joe Jr. and Bronwynn.

Eventually they moved back to Connecticut and found a house in Trumbull, CT. Joe and Jean adopted two more children, Michael and Shannynn. It was here the family would be raised, and Joe would stay until he was hospitalized.

Joe worked many years at Perkin Elmer as an Electrical Engineer. Joe and Jean also shared a love for being Ham Radio Operators and the two often made connections with people from around the world. Joe's call sign was NM1O. When the L’Ambiance Plaza Building fell, Joe and Jean used the Ham Radio base in their home as the Emergency Radio Control center for the search, rescue and clean-up of the disaster. The two also taught new wanna-be Ham Radio Operators Morse code, got them up to the required speed and administered the tests required in order to get their Ham Radio license.

Joe and Jean often spent much time camping in Maine, Bar Harbor being one of their favorite places to spend time together. When Jean fell ill with Dementia, Joe looked after her, setting the house up so she could stay home until her passing in 2015.

Joe loved spending time with his family. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his heart and soul and he cherished every moment he got to spend with them and seeing them grow up. He always had his favorite eating spot(s) to go to and wherever he took you, the people there all seemed to know him, and quite often by first name.

Joe is survived by his four children: Joe Allen Cassidy Jr. of Newtown, Bronwynn Marie Lydem of Plymouth, Michael Stephan Cassidy of Hamden and Shannynn Colleen Cella of New Milford, eight grandchildren: Marlena Anzalone, Amanda Thomas, Samantha Kearney, Alfred Anzalone, Joshua Salthouse, Felicia Anzalone, Emily Cassidy, Jessica Lydem and fourteen great-grandchildren.