In Memory

Michael Cassidy - Class Of 1947

Michael Cassidy

Michael Quinn Cassidy, longtime resident of Polson, Montana, died of cancer at his home, surrounded by family on May 28, 2011.  He was born March 18, 1928, in Culver City, California to Henry and Maria Cassidy, the youngest of two sons.  Michael grew up in San Marino, CA. and graduated from South Pasadena-San Marino High School.  He served in the Korean War, stationed in Japan.  He attended Pasadena City College, earning a degree in business.

In January 1960 he married Patricia McDonell in Pasadena.  They had three children, Michael Cassidy (Lie Ping) of Walton-on-Thames, England, Bridget Morse (Dale) of Whitehall, and Megan Jacobson (Brad) of Cowiche, Washington.

He and his wife bought the Coast to Coast Hardware store in Caldwell, Idaho, in 1970.  The family would always spend summers in Rollins on the lake.  After 10 years, the family moved to Polson where they bought the Coast to Coast Hardware store (currently True Value store).  He truly loved working at the store and made many friends of his longtime customers.  He then bought the Coast to Coast stores in Columbia Falls and Whitehall.  Their oldest daughter now runs the Whitehall Ace Hardware store, carrying on the family business.  Michael was easily recognized in town by his signature Tilley hat, which he always wore.

Michael and Patricia enjoyed traveling to many European countries and in the western United States.  His biggest joy was spending time at their summer cabin in Rollins on Flathead Lake.  With help from his friends and family, he built a guest cottage next to the cabin and made many improvements to the summer cabin over the years.  There they enjoyed entertaining friends and relatives every summer and loved fishing and seeing the wildlife and birds.

After his retirement in 1999, Michael made many beautiful pieces of furniture that grace the homes of his wife and children.  They are beautiful reminders of his love for his family.  Michael is survived by his wife of 51 years; his three adoring children; and seven grandchildren.  He was also the favorite uncle to all his many loving nieces and nephews.  His two lap dogs, Jack and Judy, also survive him.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Emmett.

Missoulian (Missoula, Montana), May 31, 2011