COUNCIL #4245 - STAR OF THE SEA REMEMBERS
JOSEPH R CASSIDY

 

Joseph Robert Cassidy, 72, Hollidaysburg, died Saturday at UPMC Altoona.

He was born in Altoona, son of the late David U. and Nellie M. (Lantz) Cassidy.

He married Jean Ecker in Hollidaysburg in 1966.

Surviving are his wife, Jean, of Hollidaysburg, with whom he shared 49 years of marriage; three daughters: Debbie Zeiders, Colleen Liles and Ellen Owen; twin sons: Scott and Brian; nine grandchildren: Caitlin, Tyler, Dylan, Haleigh, Quinton, Tara, Daniel, Conner and Aaron; a sister, Jeanne Kratzer of Downingtown; his No. 1 nephew, Tim; and eight other nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers: David and Bernard; and his sisters: Marge and Patricia.

Joe was a 1961 graduate of Hollidaysburg High School. He served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Boston CAG-1, the world's first guided missile cruiser, as a 3rd class aerographers mate.

Joe retired from the Pennsylvania State Police in 1993 after 28 years as a state trooper, traveling through the seven counties of Troop G, and becoming known as "Trooper Joe" to school children. He presented safety and crime prevention programs in all elementary schools in the area. Joe produced four programs which were adopted by other safety officers across Pennsylvania, particularly programs on the history of Pennsylvania, which tied for first place in a national competition and were adapted for use in 22 other states. Joe was instrumental in bringing the Troopers Gifts for Kids Program to the seven counties of Troop G.

Joe received four Governors Traffic Safety Awards for his work with school children, as well as two Friends of Education Awards from school districts that he served. Joe was honored to receive the Juvenile Officer of the Year Award in 1989 from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. He returned to law enforcement in 2001, when he became a deputy with the Blair Co. Sheriff's Department in the permitting office.

Joe was a former scout master of Troop 55 of Hollidaysburg, and was formerly a member of the Hollidaysburg Zoning Board. He was a current member of Hollidaysburg American Legion, Allegheny Club, Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees, The American Rifle Association, Lakemont Lions Club and American Rose Society. Joe was a 4th Degree member of the Star of the Sea Council of the Knights of Columbus in Hollidaysburg and the Bishop Garvey Assembly of Altoona, and was a volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen.

Joe was a life-long member of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Hollidaysburg, where he served as a member of the Parish Council and as an usher and a lector of the church.

He enjoyed life, carving wooden figures, reading, fishing, metal detecting, reloading ammunition and target shooting. He especially enjoyed Ocean City, Md., where he loved to visit with his wife and family.

Friends will be received from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at Sorge Funeral Home Inc., Hollidaysburg, where a vigil service will be held. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2015, at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Hollidaysburg. Committal will be at Alto-Reste Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, 2201 Union Ave., Altoona, PA 16602