Richard Harley Cassidy

Richard Harley Cassidy, 88, of Merritt Island, Florida passed away in his home on February 22, 2018. Dr. Cassidy was the third of five children of Robert Francis Cassidy and Genevieve Gower Cassidy. He was born January 21, 1930 at Harley Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. His mother was from Westport, Brier Island, Nova Scotia and his father was from Dundee, Scotland. The family included sister, Elizabeth; and 3 brothers: Edwin, David, and Robert. Dr. Cassidy spent his formative years in Braintree, Massachusetts; worked in his teens in Quincy at the Mohican Market (he liked to tell the story when he asked for a raise, he was fired, but right away was hired at Quincy Market with higher pay.) He also worked at the same time at BW Coates in Dorchester as a poofreader and printing press operator.

He graduated from Braintree High School in 1947 and when he was old enough in 1948 he joined the army as one of the “Brown Shoes;” then eight months later transitioned to the Air Force. Initial stations included Kessler AFB, Mississippi; Tripoli, Libya; Great Falls, Montana; West Palm Beach, Florida.

Dr. Cassidy met Phyllis Hilda Lee when she was 14 years old at a roller skating rink. They married July 5,1952 in Quincy, MA while he was serving in the Air Force. He flew construction workers to Greenland and in 1953 while stationed in Misowa, Japan he and his unit flew to combat areas during the Korean War on rescue missions in an SA-16 Albatross. He and his squadron (38th Air Rescue Squadron, Third Air Force Rescue Group) were awarded the Air Medal from the President of the United States for "extraordinary heroism" just prior to the armistice. They rescued 29 downed servicemen in enemy waters off North Korea and 402 men in critical condition were evacuated in the unarmed aircraft from front line aid stations. After the Korean War, Dr. Cassidy and his young wife remained in Misowa, Japan where Deborah was born. Donna was born in Mitchel AFB, Long Island, N.Y. and Michael and Steven were born in Salina, Kansas. The Air Force had the Cassidy Family living in these places as well as Warwick, Rhode Island and Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Dr. Cassidy retired from the Air Force in 1968 and the family moved to Tallahassee, FL, where he completed his Bachelor, Master, and Ph.D. degrees from Florida State University. In 1973 he accepted the position of Technical Division Chairman of Brevard Community College and the family moved to Merritt Island. Dr. Cassidy was very supportive of the Boy Scout Troop 705 where both sons made the rank of Eagle. He was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church since 1973 and also served as a Youth Counselor for Methodist Youth Fellowship.

In 1983 they moved to Chicago for two years where Dr. Cassidy was Engineering & Technical Division Director at Thornton Community College, S. Holland, IL. Missing Florida, they then moved to Oldsmar, Florida and Dr. Cassidy took a position at St. Petersburg Community College. In 1994 they moved back to Merritt Island and he retired from his education positions. After this second retirement Dr. Cassidy and Phyllis traveled extensively including Alaska, Hawaii, England, Scotland, Ireland, and all over Europe. But they loved most of all cruising the Caribbean and visiting New England.

In 2004 they bought a summer house in Epson, New Hampshire on Northwood Lake. They loved spending the summers there and crusing the lake in their pontoon boat with neighbors and friends.

Nearly every home the family lived in was built by Dr. Cassidy. He designed and built many homes from Rhode Island to Kansas and Florida. Woodworking was a great hobby of his and he also enjoyed model airplanes. Another passion was playing cards especially the game, Hand and Foot. He loved their pet dachshunds especially Baron who traveled extensively with them. Above all, Dr. Cassidy loved his family. He was married to Phyllis "the love of his life" for nearly 63 years before she passed away in 2015. He leaves behind family and friends to cherish wonderful memories- daughters: Deborah (William) of Ft. White, FL and Donna (Nathan) of New Port Richey, FL and sons: Michael (Karen) of Merritt Island, FL and Steven (Annie) Leesburg, VA; grandchildren: Nathan, Jr., Jason, Brittany, Bradley, Stephanie, and Cory; great-grandchildren Ryder, Aspen, and Ella.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Molly Mutt Thrift Shop, 2525 N. Courtenay Pkwy Merritt Island, FL 32953 to benefit the Brevard County Humane Society.

A graveside memorial service will be held at February 28, 2018 at 10am at Florida Memorial, 5950 South US Highway 1, Rockledge, FL.