A Dedicated Post to Sue’s Dad

 Rev Michael W Cassell

At 3am this morning we received the call that the lord had called one of his brightest servants, Sue’s Dad,  to join his father in heaven. Although saddened and heavy hearted at the loss, his rapid passing was a blessing as he was in failing health for only a couple of weeks. He lived 88 incredible years devoting most of his life to the service of the church and in post retirement, Food for the Poor. He was survived by his 5 children and numerous grandchildren and even a great who all will miss his presence dearly. Pop was a fantastic conversationalist. He was somebody you would just love to sit and talk with. He was an avid learner always reading and studying to keep expanding his mind. He was incredibly knowledgeable in so many subjects. He never backed down for a cause. To me Pop was the second father I got when I married Sue. He had a special way of seeding my brain without me even sometimes knowing it. His impact on my life was profound as was it for the many thousands of parishioners he fathered over the four decades he was a priest. I recall one such seeding. It actually occurred while we were floating down the lower Niagara River in inner tubes enjoying a couple of beers along the way. As we were floating along he looked over to me and said, “Mike, what do you consider the truest thing you know in life?” I immediately wanted some type of clarification or direction but he would yield not. I of course shot from the hip and tried to throw out a couple of quick answers but he did not accept them. Then he let the pressure off and said, “you don’t have to answer now just think about it.” I must of sat there in that tube for the next hour rolling in my head what my answer would be. What a way to kill a good beer tube buzz. About six months later we happened to be in town and had the opportunity to go to church and hear one of his magnificent sermons. Well by luck or by plan the sermon title was, “What is absolute truth in your life.” As this happened over 25 years ago, and the question had repeated in my mind quite frequently I never felt I could come up with the answer that was true for me. Until now. Call it Devine call it what ever but I have my answer. Human relationships are finite. They are all ultimately broken by death. Cherish, honor, nurture and protect those relationships always because after all they are finite. 

Pop, may you Rest In Peace and continue your good works in heaven. I’m sure there will be new bright star in the night time sky.