Robert Sterling Cassidy

Robert Sterling CassidyRealtor and Former Councilman and Civic LeaderRobert Sterling Cassidy, 75, of Foley Street, Attleboro, died unexpectedly on Friday, September 12, 2008 at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Florida where he was combining work and vacation. He was the husband of Dora Marie (Weir) Cassidy to whom he was married on August 24, 1957.Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts on June 13, 1933 on the dining room table of the family homestead, he was the son of the late Edward and Helena M. (Nihan) Cassidy. He was raised and educated in his native community where he was a 1951 graduate of Attleboro High School. He remained a lifelong resident of the City of Attleboro and resided in the same house his entire life ? quiet a fact, for a realtor!Following high school, Mr. Cassidy earned his Bachelor?s Degree in Journalism from Boston University in 1954. He then enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1954 ? 1956 during the Korean War; later devoting six years to the Army Reserves.In 1956, Mr. Cassidy began his career with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and was charged with the responsibility of opening the Attleboro Public Welfare Office and ended his employment with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the Assistant to the Commissioner of the Department of Public Welfare in 1972.During his tenure with the welfare office, he obtained his real estate license in 1968.Mr. Cassidy was the founder, owner and operator of Bob Cassidy Real Estate in Attleboro since 1972. As a realtor he was a member of the former Attleboro Board of Realtors which later merged with the Northern Bristol County Board of Realtors. He served as a member of the legislative committee, treasurer, vice president and president of the association and was named Realtor of the Year multiple times.He served as a member of the Attleboro Housing Authority from 1965 ? 1971, was a member of the City of Attleboro Personnel Board from 1968 until 1971 and served as a City of Attleboro City Councilor representing Ward 3 from 1972 -1973.Mr. Cassidy fought against rent control during the 1980s and was the former owner, operator and manager of the Oakhill Family Park in Attleboro from 1985 until 2006.He founded the Attleboro Scholarship Fund for the Class of 1951 and was a former member of the Attleboro Rotary Club and was as an ardent horticulturalist he was most proud of the roses he lovingly grew and cultivated and was a member of the Rose Society.In 2003, Mr. Cassidy and members of his family traveled to Shannon, Ireland and took a 16-day trip that culminated in Dublin. He had also enjoyed trips to Nova Scotia, Canada and Spain.Mr. Cassidy was proud of his Irish ancestry and heritage and enjoyed traveling to Ireland with his family. The local Cassidy clan joined a larger Cassidy clan for a reunion held in Fermanaugh, Northern Ireland in 2005. On that same trip the family visited England and Scotland.He was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church in Attleboro.Mr. Cassidy treasured the time spent amidst his family. A true outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and skiing with his family and would organize an annual fishing trip out of Provincetown harbor.He loved time spent on Cape Cod and trips to view the colors of autumn in Maine during the months of September and October. Recently, he started learning Spanish and was eagerly anticipating becoming fluent in a second language. In recent years he excelled at photography and was currently nominated for an award for his artistic abilities in the field. From sunsets in Florida to the New England coastline, he was always able to capture a special moment on film. He was planning on entering his works in the Wickford Art Festival in Rhode Island next year. In addition to his wife of 51 years, he leaves three children: Robert E. Cassidy of Attleboro; Jan-Marie Cassidy of Attleboro and Lee Sterling Cassidy of Seekonk; he was ?Papa? to Conner Cassidy of Attleboro and Casey Cassidy-Thibault of Attleboro and the uncle of several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Gertrude Martin, Alvin Cassidy, Joseph Cassidy, Helen Johnson and Donald Cassidy. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation with Veteran?s Honors on Friday, September 19, 2008 from 4:00 ? 8:00 PM in the ?Memorial Chapel? of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home ? the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson House, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Children?s room available during visitation and while the funeral cortege is being organized.Those in need of a ride to visitation may simply call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis transportation.Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the funeral with Veteran?s Honors on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 9:30 AM from the ?Memorial Chapel? of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home ? the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson House, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 133 North Main Street ? Route 152, Attleboro with the Rev. Richard Roy, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in St. John?s Cemetery, Attleboro.Following cemetery services an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and friendship at a location to be announced.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name may be made to either St. Jude?s Children?s Hospital, 332 North Lauderdale Street, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Disabled American Veterans, State House ? Room 546, Boston, MA 02133-1042.To send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit an on-line guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.