It's hard to believe that Terry is gone (two years later).  As a high school chum and co-Reunion planner, what I miss most is his great sense of humor.

Well Terry it's been a year. No concerts, no political talk, no old times remembered, no legal hairs split and everytime a Rolling Stones song comes on the radio Beth and I look at each other saying well Terry is talking back beats with Charlie, bass lines with Bill and sailing the clouds with Stanley Morgan Tutton lll also known as Sandy when on a 43 foot French racing yacht or in Hawaii. I wish I was there but going to Mexico for the last Huzzuarh. 
Vaya Con Dios
BK and Beth

Elise and family,  Thinking of what a great guy Terry was…. So kind, very funny and a delight to be around! I know how you must miss him! Those of us fortunate enough to have been blessed to have Terry and Elise as friends are remembering him as well .  Hope you are enjoying your retirement, Elise! ❤️Pat Dougherty

Loved and appreciated by many!  I'm glad to have known you and to have worked on planning MVHS reunions.  Rest in Peace, old friend. 

I just found out today as I Googled Terry to try to reconnect with him. Another MVHS grad, I have many great memories of Terry. We played football together, went to a zillion concerts, and drank our share of beers on Mt. M. He introduced me to mustard in tuna fish. Always a first class man who had an infectious laugh. I'm so proud of your accomplishments. Terry and Elise were about the sweetest couple I've ever known. You brought light to life Terry, rest easy my friend.

Just learned of Terry's passing - so saddened by this news.  I worked with Terry on many interesting County of Solano suit matters...and shared hotdogs with him at a few Giants games over the years.  Sending out my condolences to Terry's family.

My heartfelt condolences to Terry's family--I am so sorry for their loss. Years ago, I used to babysit Kevin, Cara, Brian, and Erin. They were great kids who had great parents! It was always a treat to talk with Terry and Elise--they were kind, generous, and genuine. I admired them very much. I'm grateful to have known Terry, and I'm sending love to Elise and their kids. Praying for you all.

Terry was a big man with an enormous heart, and a laugh that warmed the soul. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, and have a cold one while you are at it my friend.

The San Luis Obispo County Counsel's office grieves the loss of Terry, our go-to outside counsel for many years.   Terry personified the rare gentleman lawyer:  stellar legal and advocacy skills, yet always a kind, respectful and respected gentleman and gentle man.  No one was more highly regarded.   We learned so much from him.  He is cherished and celebrated.

A Catholic mass will be offered for Terry and his family this Sunday at Chapel Hill in Shandon.   Love to Elise and his fine family.  Rita Neal and Nina Negranti

I met Terry and Elise at a Santa Clara Alumni event and liked them immediately. They were  so compatible and so much fun!  Our friendship continued when I joined the faculty at Loretto High School. They were always willing to include me when there was an event that was a "must attend" so I got to know them as a couple over the years. Terry and  Elise were such a strong partnership and filled with love and support for their friends and community.  May this love and support come right back to Elise and her family at this sad time in their lives. May you always feel Terry's love and his presence.  Much love to you and your wonderful family.                          Pat Dougherty



Terry was simply the best of the best.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Elise, their children, grandchildren and friends.   
Soonie & John

First of all I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Elise and family, I still can't believe he's gone.  Terry was a lifelong friend for over 50 years.  I was extremely saddened when I received a call last Wednesday from his son Kevin with the terrible news.  Terry without a doubt was one of the nicest, kindest, funniest, and more importantly loyal friends I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.  We had so many fun times over the years, not enough room here, starting in High School and lasting up until his passing.  I remember going to World Series games in the '70's @ Oakland Coliseum, of course having to "take off" from school those days lol.  We went to our first Rolling Stones show together in '75 at the Cow Palace, which of course started him on his long concert tour w/ MIck and the boys.  I had the pleasure of being his best man when he married the love of his life Elise down in San Diego. We went to many other concerts and always remembered getting razzed when we sat in front row for the Stones Voodoo Lounge tour.  Mick Jagger ran down onto the field and passed right in front of us high fiving all of us, well almost all of us, lol.  He skipped me and Terry muttered "he doesn't like Italians".  It was a joke for years that I had to listen to.  When Terry had trips to SLO or other cities for trials, etc., he'd leave a day early and stay over night at my place in Santa Cruz which gave us plenty of time to catch up and talk/laugh about "old times".  On occasion we'd take in a concert here at Moe's Alley or Beach Boardwalk.  Finally Terry was very successful professionally, but I always admired the fact that he never forgot where he came from and his friends as he was always willing to help or give advice when someone was in need of his expertise.  RIP Terry, you will be greatly missed big guy.

Terry's passing was very unexpected and sad for me and my family. Somehow I always thought we would continue growing old together and our families would meet on the dock at Packer Lake, which was one of his favorite places to get away and let go. I'm hoping Elise and the younger generation keep this tradition alive. I had so many great times with Terry and his family there, sharing how our lives were doing, new experiences, and just a whole lot of laughter. I will miss you dearly, my friend. So I raise my glass once again to you; may you rest in peace -- and to the sounds of the Rolling Stones!
Ken, Laura, Corina, & Camille Bigham

I was shocked and saddened to learn of terry’s passing...my prayers and sympathy to the entire family.....I will and have missed the interactions  shared with terry in resolving complicated civil rights actions.at all times terry was well prepared, well mannered and a gentleman without equal. Life is tough but thank you , my friend, for making my more rewarding...

As many MVHS Alum have mentioned, Terry holds a special place in our Hearts…
A friend to so many….his wisdom and passion, are just a few of his finest traits.
Solid as a rock, having fairly recently, professionally called upon him for his advice.
He built a strong company over the years and an even stronger family unit…🙏💙.
Our Love goes to his Family and Friends…
Gone too soon …. Terry, RIP &  “Thank You”…


Terry, 
You leaving us has left a HUGE hole in MANY hearts. 
Rest in peace my Friend.
Steve & Marie Mauer

I met Terry back in 1969 as a freshman at Monta Vista high school . We would share football memories of  those four years at Monta Vista During our first year at De Anza community college we were employed as parks and recreation leaders for Cupertino during the summer. We would patrol the parks reminiscing our high school years. Through the years we shared many high lights attending  concerts  with The Rolling Stones taking top prority., attending high school reunions and most memorable attending the Super Bowl  with Tery and his father at Stanford. ( 49er vs the Dolphins)  Terry will always be remembered as a kind ,endearing and supportive friend .

My wife Lorie & I were saddened to see the Funeral Notice for Terry in the Sacramento Bee. We've been friends with Terry - and Elise - since the start of law school in 1978. Craig has already mentioned our softball team, the Wharf Rats (after the Grateful Dead song), what fun we had (and we were a good team!).
Terry, Dave Sabey & I were also co-owners of a second-hand rubber raft, named Lou Gehrig, on which we floated the American River many times during law school; it took the three of us to come up with the $70 cost of the raft!
More recently, Terry & I were fellow members of ABOTA's Sacramento Valley Chapter, and I saw him often; always a treat.
Lots of good memories. Love you, Elise. We'll miss you, Terry.

I met Terry on the football field (double sessions) then later found him in Mr Mullins Science class. Goes without saying he was a great lab partner!   
    One Friday evening in high school Terry borrowed his Dads tape recorder and taped our antics and conversation for the next 2 hours.  To this day we still laugh about the stuff captured on tape, especially me giving directions to the driver. Welco “Look out for the fence” 
We will all miss your smile.   Ken Franco and I will attend to pay our respects.


Terry was truly a kind and humble person.  We met as classmates and became friends in law school, where Terry’s gentle confidence and perseverance rubbed off on some of us who were less certain that we could or should tackle the three years of difficult studies.  Terry made it fun!  When studying, he could always find the humor in a difficult case holding or muse about the various teaching styles of the professors.  When not studying, Terry swung the bat for the “Wharf Rats” softball team at McGeorge while listening to rock n roll.  We also broke the study monotony by going skiing at Tahoe several times.  Terry knew how to work hard and balance it with music and recreation and he was a marvelous story teller.  Over the years, I also had the pleasure of working with Terry professionally on a couple of occasions.  Terry’s easygoing style and well thought out strategy served his clients well.  His honesty and integrity were unquestionable.  I am saddened to learn of Terry’s passing and will be forever blessed for having known him. 

America's Cup San Francisco Bay Terry and Elise

Cassidy, my fellow pirate and too many concerts to remember. I was next to him when he high-fived Mick Jagger from the front row. Although we were probably next to each other at the infamous 4th encore of Led Zeppelin at Kezar Stadium in 1973 (with maybe 100 people left in the stadium when they came back out) I did not officially meet Cassidy until much later.

I was told while working for George Hills Co to check out this bright young lawyer from Porter Scott by my boss Russ Dawson and report back on him. Little did I know this would lead to years of escapades on rock concert floors and sometimes sailboats. I  determined that Cassidy liked rock and roll music, he bemoaned the fact that with law school and his nose to the grindstone as a newly hired lawyer he did not really get out much and I just happened to have an extra Eric Clapton ticket and felt sorry for the boy so I offered it to him. Well as they say one thing leads to another and many concerts, way too numerous to count. Terry quizzes both I and fellow pirate Stan Tutton about Bill Graham Presents whom we both did claims for in the past and somehow with the info finagaled Terry was representing the concert promoter locally. Perks were involved later!

Cassidy was seemingly always successful, his trips to the Supreme Court legendary. His birthday party at Strawberry Lodge is even more legendary as was his limp afterwards. Once he and I and what seemed half the legal team of Porter Scott went to the Grateful Dead concert. 

But what Terry treasured most in life was his relationship with his wife Elise. Terry’s love for her was boundless and we had some heartfelt talks about that.

Godspeed Terry, hopefully Charlie Watts will meet you at Saint Peters door to usher you in.


It is impossible in a few words to do justice to a life like Terry Cassidy’s.  Devoted to Elise, not only dedicated but a complete loving father to his children and grandchildren.  A good best friend of many.  He demonstrated absolute faith in his religion and loyalty to his colleagues and friends.   Integrity,  honesty, brilliance, fairness are words used to describe his career as an attorney.     Thank you Terry for being you———you made many lives better and certainly mine.   Proud to have been your partner but even better was to be your friend.  

Monta Vista High School classmate remembering Terry's friendliness and happy spirit,  honored to have known him.   Condolences to the many people whom Terry's very special life touched.  Very sad time,  many happy memories. 

Always a man with a smile and laughter to be shared with those around him. Shared my first concert experience with him at the Cow Palace many years ago. Enjoyed getting together at the reunions, reliving our adolescent greatness and talking music. I’ll miss your playlist at the next reunion my friend. Rest In Peace my friend.

Terry married my dear friend Elise in 1980 and I will never forget the smiles on their faces that wonderful day. Throughout the years of childbearing , work and life, time slipped away , but thankfully our paths reunited. I was looking forward to spending more time with Terry and Elise laughing and listening to Terry’s stories , his wine finds at Trader Joe’s , or his other  adventures  told in his unmistakable deep voice. 

I will miss Terry dearly and I’m heartbroken to hear of his passing. My deep and sincere condolences to Elise and Terry’s family. ❤️

Terry and I we very good friends in High School and College years. We  we’re roommates in two different places first Santa Clara then Santa  Cruz always a true friend and fun guy so sorry to hear the news...I last caught up with Terry at the last high school reunion and really enjoyed the time with him. God  Bless Terry and his family he was a great guy 
             Steve Schanding 

OBITUARY

Terence John Cassidy

October 7, 1955 – October 12, 2021

Goodbody Mortuary

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services