USMC veteran
MIRROR LAKE, NH — J. (Joseph) Warren Cassidy, a former Mayor of Lynn and executive vice president of the National Rifle Association (NRA) died Wednesday in Mirror Lake, NH.
Cassidy was born in 1930 in Lynn. He graduated from Wakefield High School in 1948, Brewster Academy in 1949 and Dartmouth College in 1953. Warren played catcher/outfielder for Dartmouth. A favorite memory of his was the time he got to pitch batting practice to Red Sox Hall-of-Famer, Ted Williams at Fenway Park. He loved sports including ice hockey, baseball and golf, all his life.
After college, Cassidy enlisted in Officers Training School for the U.S. Marine Corps and served for 22 years, retiring as a reserve Lieutenant Colonel in 1975. He was the Commanding Officer of the Marine Engineering Unit housed in Lynn’s old post office.
The most important event in his life also occurred in 1953 when Warren married his “smart and beautiful” wife, Joan Cassidy (Purtell). Warren and Joan celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last summer.
Cassidy served a two-year term as Lynn’s Mayor from 1970-72. Warren was an involved community member throughout his life serving, at various times, as president of the Kiwanis Club, Lynn YMCA, North Shore Dartmouth Club, Wyman Point Association and other organizations.
Cassidy also served as the Executive Vice President of the NRA from 1986-1991. He joined the NRA in 1978 on its Board of Directors. Warren’s lifelong interest in firearms began when he received a 22-caliber rifle for his 14th birthday. While with the NRA, Warren met and worked with Presidents, Senators and Congress.
After retirement, he moved to East Wakefield, NH and later, Mirror Lake, NH where Joan and he enjoyed family visits, golf, home projects and giving treats to neighborhood dogs.
Cassidy is survived by his wife Joan Cassidy (Purtell) and five children: Joseph Cassidy III and his wife Anne; Julia Rose (Cassidy) and her husband Ray; Phil Cassidy and his wife Tina; Susan Van Tongeren (Cassidy) and her husband Philip; and Beth Grew (Cassidy) and her husband Steven. He is also survived by his sister Carol Welch (Cassidy); his grandchildren: Michael, Diana, Bart, Cara and Cassie; and his great-grandchildren: Aiyla, Shayn and Alina. Warren was pre-deceased by grandson Christopher van Tongeren.
A funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 22 at St. Katharine Drexel Church in Alton, NH. Cassidy will be interred at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Lynn with military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be sent to the Tuftonboro (NH) Free Public Library. The Baker-Gagne Funeral Homes of Wolfeboro and West Ossipee, NH are assisting the family with the arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolences or for more information go to baker-gagnefuneralhomes.com.