Obituary

David W. Cassida, obituary

Mon, 11/30/2015 - 5:30pm

BELFAST — David Warren Cassida, 80, of Belfast, passed away on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 2015. David was also born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 29, 1934, in Wrangell, Alaska, to Ruth Willis Cassida and Sam M. Cassida. The Cassida family moved in 1936 to Belfast, where they made their home on Northport Avenue near Little River.

During his school days, David was active in Scouting and became an Eagle Scout. David graduated from Crosby High School in 1953 and earned an Associates Degree in Agriculture from the University of Maine in Orono in 1957. He served as staff sergeant in the Maine Air National Guard and the Reserve of the United States Air Force, assigned as a still photographer from 1953 to 1959. David was also a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for 45 years and was honored by the U.S. Coast Guard for his service and devotion to duty in 2014.

David was an avid sportsman and woodsman who loved hunting, fishing, boating, gardening and woodworking. He was a registered Maine Guide and a licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain who took great pride in his knowledge of the coves, inlets and islands of Penobscot Bay. He was active in municipal government and served proudly on the Belfast Water District and the Belfast Harbor Advisory Committee for many years.

David worked as a senior district sales manager for Evinrude Motors, Johnson Motors and OMC for 26 years, where he received several accolades for his excellent service including the OMC Public Relations Award in 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979; Regional Manager of the Year in 1981, 1985, 1990 and 1991; and National Sales Manager of the Year in 1984 and 1990.

David was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marilyn Rand Cassida of Belfast; his children, Dr. Kimberly Cassida and Joe Paling of Mason, Mich., James Cassida and Dawn Flagg of Freeport, Dr. Joanne Cassida Harriman and Matthew Harriman of Orono, and Samuel and Jacki Cassida of Belfast; and his grandchildren, Ellen and Ryan Sprague of Hancock, Rand and Samantha Beattie of Birch Harbor, Rayne Hanke-Ledwith, Dakota Hanke-Ledwith, and Samantha and Kaleb Cassida of Belfast; and two great-grandchildren, Christopher and Brennan Beattie of Birch Harbor.

He was predeceased by his parents; and granddaughter, Grace Cassida-Harriman in September 2003.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. at Riposta Funeral Home in Belfast.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions in his memory to Maine Audubon, c/o Development Office, 20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth, ME 04105.