Jack J. “Jake” Cassidy, age 87 of Ottawa passed away Sunday, December 28, 2014 at his home, surrounded by his adoring family. A memorial mass will be held Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Columba Catholic Church with Father David Kipfer celebrating. Honorary pallbearers will be Butch Carstens, John Casey, Rich Castelli, Dr. John Conness, Dr. Rich Ewald, Dr. Rich Gelbuda, Larry Johnson, Dr. Don Morehead, Bob Newman, Howie Norburg, Kevin Ott, Ed Pitstick, Bob Potusna, Ken Salzer, Al Wilner, and Neal Sherbeyn.
There will be a celebration of life in the form of an Irish Wake, which will be held at Pitstick Pavilion, Route 23, Ottawa, from 4:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2015; all are welcome to attend. Gladfelter Funeral Home is honored to serve the Cassidy family.
Jack was born and raised in Joliet where he graduated from Joliet Central High School. After spending two years in the U.S. Navy, he attended and graduated from Lake Forest College where he captained the football team, in 1953.
He met the love of his life Barbara Jean O’Laughlin at Lake Forest College and they were married in 1953. He and Barbara moved to Ottawa in 1956 where they raised five children John, Tom, Kevin, Connie, and Mike.
Jack was a partner in the well-known service station Jensen, Rutledge and Cassidy. Upon retirement of his two great friends, Herb Jensen and Bill Rutledge, Jack left the service station business to become Employment Manager at Borg Warner Chemical where he retired from in 1994.
Jack was an avid sports fan and a supporter of Notre Dame Football, the Green Bay Packers, and the Chicago White Sox. He was very proud to be a part of the young lives he touched as manager of the Ottawa Little League Giants. Jack was also a founder of Ottawa Sports for Youth tackle football in the early 70’s.
In 2011 Jack suffered the losses of beloved sons, John and Kevin to ALS and cancer respectively. In 2013, loving wife Barbara passed peacefully. In addition, Jack was preceded in death by his mother, Louise (Schering) Cassidy, father John Cassidy, brother Bob Cassidy, and brother in-law Jim O’Laughlin.
Jack is survived by daughter Connie O’Brien of Bloomington, son Tom (Cindy) of Pompano Beach, FL, son Mike of Naperville, and daughter in-law Lynn (John, deceased) Cassidy of Menomonee Falls, WI. He also leaves behind a brother Chuck (Katie) Cassidy and sisters, Carol (George) Legan and Louise Cassidy, all from Tucson, AZ, sisters-in law Kathy (Bob, deceased) Cassidy from Prairie Grove, Karen (Jim, deceased) O’Laughlin of San Diego, CA, and Pat (Roy) Marzano of Rolling Meadows.
Jack is survived by his loving grandchildren Kelsey, Kara, Conor, Kevin, Mike, Joe, Jack, and Cole Cassidy, and Cassidy and Danny O’Brien.
Jack was an active parishioner of St. Mary’s and St. Columba Catholic Churches. He will be remembered as a family man who was completely devoted to his wife, children, grandchildren, and as a loyal friend to many.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be donated to the Coach Cassidy Classic, an ALS Fundraiser established in memory of Jack’s son John.
To sign the guestbook or share a memory with the family, please visit www.gladfelterfuneralhome.com or Gladfelter Funeral Home on Facebook.
A private memorial service was held at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.
Jack is laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.
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