Glenn Richard Cassidy

Glenn Richard Cassidy passed away unexpectedly on 10/10/15 in Yakima, WA. He was born on 8/14/51 in Seattle, WA, second eldest child of Edward and Martha (Connelly) Cassidy. Shortly after Glenn was born, the family moved to Yakima. He attended Wilson Jr. High and Eisenhower High School, graduating in 1969.

It was clear at a young age Glenn was gifted with a natural artistic talent, drawing cartoons and caricatures for endless hours. Over his lifetime his talent grew and included all kinds of artistic expression including advertising, graphics, writing and marketing.

Glenn attended YVC (Yakima Valley College as it was known then) and was mentored by Herb Blizzard in journalism and photography. From 1971-1972, he was editor of “The Galaxy”, a weekly campus newspaper, which included many cartoons and editorials he wrote on various topics. He went on to the University of Washington where he again wrote and edited for the campus newspaper “U of W Daily”, graduating in 1973 with a B.A. in communications and minor in journalism. After working for a newspaper in the Kent area for a few years, Glenn moved back to Yakima, where he helped his mother run the family’s printing business, Franklin Press, until it closed in the mid-80’s.

Glenn began his career at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital in 1988, as a communications specialist and eventually became Creative Services Director. It was at this time, he met and fell in love with Lillian (Ricard) Moloney, also working at Memorial Hospital, and they were married on 9/5/95 in Coeur d’Alene, ID.

While at Memorial, he not only produced printed, radio and TV ads, he became involved in the Memorial Follies, designing the program, stage sets and advertising. His creativity shone with the creation of the Safetysaurus mascot, a lovable, giant green dinosaur used to promote the safety campaign geared for children.

Glenn switched gears and went to work for Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, from 1998-2013, as their first Public Relations Director. He was responsible for the printed material and advertising needs of more than 14 clinic sites, spanning an area from Spokane to Roseburg, OR. His final career move was to Yakima Neighborhood Health Services in 2014 until the time of his death. There he recently helped organize the 40th Anniversary Celebration for over 300 employees and guests.

Glenn took on many freelance projects over the years including designing the Capitol Theatre’s mascot “Gus the Cat”, and “Boomer”, the mascot for the Yakima Bears baseball team. He also took on graphics projects for Yakima Transit revamping the widely used Bus Book, and hundreds of graphic or advertising projects for friends who needed his help, generally without allowing payment.

He was a past member of the Yakima Rotary Club and past member of the Yakima Advertising Federation and served 2 terms as president from 1985-1987. In 2001, he was awarded the prestigious American Advertising Federation Silver Medal for his contributions to advertising, which included founding an annual creative award competition, the Chinooks, to recognize and encourage excellent in local advertising. He also provided the vision in establishing a student chapter of the American Advertising Federation at Central Washington University and a scholarship fund to help support it.

Glenn will be remembered as the King of Crossword puzzles, mastering the weekly New York Times Sunday puzzles, IN INK! He was an avid golfer, and was a loyal Husky and Seahawks football fan and Mariners baseball fan. He was always self-effacing, willing to help and a generous friend with an infectious laugh.

He will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Glenn is survived by Lillian, his four step-children Andrea (Shawn) Thompson, Erica (Chris) Keller, Nick Moloney, Amanda Moloney, 4 step grandchildren and one due in November; brother Martin Cassidy, sisters Lynn (Hugh) Fulton and Myra (Eddy) Griffin, numerous nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

A celebration of Glenn’s life will be held Saturday, October 17th at the Harmon Center beginning at 11:30a.m. All are welcome to come share a special memory of Glenn and join his family and other friends remembering how his life touched so many in our Valley and beyond.

In lieu of flowers friends are encouraged to make a contribution in Glenn’s honor to the charity of their choice.