Obituary of Peter Cassidy

Peter F. Cassidy, 79, of Freehold passed away unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, August 9, 2016. Peter was born in Brackley, County Cavan, Ireland and had lived in Killycar before coming to the United States in 1956. He lived in Woodside, Queens and Old Bridge where he raised his family, before settling in Freehold in 2002. Peter was a man of God, serving in many capacities at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Old Bridge, such as a building committee member, a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, at Bingo, and bringing food to the needy, as well as a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. He was currently a parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Farmingdale and St. Sebastian's Catholic Church, Florida. A true Irishman, Peter was a member of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh, Old Bridge, the Brunswick Shamrock Club, and the Irish American Club in Barefoot Bay, Florida. Peter played racquetball, poker and "25". He loved his wife, children and grandchildren, and always felt it was better to give than receive. Peter was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Kathleen Celine Cassidy on July 21st, as well as two sisters, Anna Rose Baxter and Maurade Fotis. Peter is survived by four children, Peter J. Cassidy and his wife, Kathleen, of Glen Rock, Bernadette Bishop and her husband, Dave, of Wayne; Kathleen Hobbs and her husband, Kevin, of Freehold Township, and Siobhan McGovern and her husband, Tim, of Manalapan; twelve grandchildren, Tara, Peter and Aidan Cassidy, David, Ryan and Kyle Bishop, Ashley, Kevin and Claire Hobbs, Shannon, Colleen and Kelly McGovern; siblings, Paddy Cassidy and his wife, Joy of England, Benny Cassidy of England, Lily Curran of Bayside, NY, Aidan Cassidy and his wife, Rose of California, and Gerry Cassidy and his wife, Sally of California; numerous nieces and nephews, loving in-laws; and friends. Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Friday, August 12, 2016 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at 8:30 AM on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at the funeral home for the procession to his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 333 Route 18, South, Old Bridge. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, South Brunswick. For those who desire, memorial contributions in Peter's name may be made to Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of American, Inc., 3555 Lexington Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10017 or Columban Lay Missionaries, St. Columban's, Dalgan Park, Navan, County Meath, Ireland. For information, directions, or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.