Michael Lewis Cassidy passed away on April 11, 2024, at the age of 86 in Westerville, Ohio. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on August 23, 1937, the son of Lewis Cassidy and Alberta “Betty” Cassidy (née Steinhouse). His mother shared the same birthday and claimed he was the best birthday present she ever received. He grew up on a farm in Rossiter Pennsylvania. He graduated Rossiter High School in 1955 and attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, finishing with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and completing the US Army ROTC program.
Following graduation, he served in the US Army Reserve while teaching middle school science. In 1960 his reserve unit was activated during the Berlin crisis. While teaching he met his future wife, and fellow teacher Barbara Ruth Liggett. They married in June 1965. He returned to full-time duty in the US Army and completed artillery training in Oklahoma. He served in combat with the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam from January 1967 to January 1968. During this time, he was promoted and finished his tour as a Captain.
After returning from Vietnam, he began working for Kennametal, Inc. and moved to the Chicago area. Michael and Barbara had two sons while in the Chicago area, Robert, and John. Michael continued to serve in the US Army Reserve, finishing his career there as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1980.
He and his family moved to Aurora, Ohio in 1980 and would continue to reside there for over 30 years. Mike was known for his dry sense of humor at work and at home. Michael volunteered his time with the local Boy Scout Troop, taking the scouts backpacking to the Allegheny Forest, in Pennsylvania, the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. In retirement he enjoyed going on cruises and traveling in the American Southwest.
He is survived by his wife Barbara, two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert(Jennifer) and John(Mary), grandchildren Sloane and Owen, his sisters Carol and Susan, and brothers Rich(Adrienne) and Dennis along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.
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