Edmund Thomas Cassidy

Calais & St. Simons Island, GA - On Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, Edmund Thomas Cassidy went to his Eternal Home in Heaven. He was surrounded by the love of his precious wife, Teresa, and his dear children. Edmund was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer on Feb. 12, 2014. At that time, he was given a life expectancy of two to four months, which is the typically grim prognosis for Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. But God had other plans. Through the outstanding care of the highly skilled physicians at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, the hundreds of answered prayers and many miracles of healing, Ed lived over three years past his initial diagnosis. During that time, he was incredibly blessed to see three grandsons and one granddaughter be born.

Edmund was born on March 3, 1955, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada. He was the youngest son of John F. Cassidy Sr. and Avis B. (Hanson) Cassidy. He graduated from the Calais Memorial High School in 1973. Edmund received his B.S. in biology from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. He received his M.S. in business from Husson University in Bangor, Maine.

On Aug. 21, 1976, Edmund married his high school sweetheart, and the love of his life, Teresa Lynn (Clark) Cassidy. They remained happily married for over 40 years. While living in Calais, they were blessed to have Ryan, Erin and Meghan. Ed was very proud of each of his children, and he led by example as they grew to become outstanding adults.

Edmund began his life long career in law enforcement with the Calais Police Department serving five years as a part-time police officer, and in 1978, Edmund began his federal career as a U.S. Immigration Officer (INS) in Calais, Maine. After several promotions, Edmund was appointed to a supervisory immigration examiner/instructor and course developer officer at the National Immigration Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Academy at Glynco, Ga. In 1992, Edmund returned to Maine as he was selected to be the INS area port director. In 1999, Edmund accepted an immigration law instructor position at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Ga. As he advanced in his career, he was selected as the training operations supervisor at the INS Academy and later served as the director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Academy. After the merger, Ed was selected to be the assistant director of the U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) Field Operations Academy.

After 9/11, until his retirement, Edmund held a number of positions within CBP but he felt it was his duty to assist U.S. troops fighting overseas in any way he could. In that regard Edmund was selected as a CBP, senior advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Interior and Finance in Baghdad, Iraq. He also served as the CBP attaché in Afghanistan for two years, which included directing the activities of the highly successful Border Management Task Force in Kabul, Afghanistan. Edmund’s last assignment before retiring was to serve as the CBP senior liaison with U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Fla.

Edmund received multiple distinguished awards and special recognitions for his outstanding service in the federal government. He received two Department of State Sustained Superior Performance Awards for leadership and execution relating to the Civilian/Military Joint Border Management Task Force. He was greatly honored to be presented with the highest award presented by the military to a civilian, known as The Department of Army Superior Civilian Service Award for superior and sustained support of the Department of Defense and Operation Enduring Freedom. Ed received the Department of Defense Medal for sustained efforts against global terrorism. And, he was selected for three commissioner’s group awards for Leadership in Immigration and Naturalization Service for Excellence in Training at the U.S. Immigration Officer Academy; Customs and Agricultural Officer training following creation of the Department of Homeland Security; Superior Service in serving as Senior Advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Interior; Superior Service as the Customs Border Protection Attaché in Afghanistan, Deputy Commissioner Award for Dedication and Contribution to the Success of the Customs and Border Protection International Affairs and Mission.

Ed was committed to his strong Christian faith. He lived his life in volunteering his time and talents to both the church and his community. One of his favorite hobbies was sailing on the St. Croix Bay. He enjoyed restoring and driving his 1976 Porsche 914 and Porsche 911. He spent many great times with the Clark and Cassidy clans at Pennamaquan, Howard and Nashes Lakes. He designed and assisted building our home on the edge of the St. Croix River in Calais. Despite devastating effects of his cancer treatment, Ed restored our cottage, and built a new dock. He also completely renovated our home on St. Simons Island.

Edmund will be forever loved by his beloved wife, Teresa, his children and their spouses, Ryan and Carrie (Brucks) Cassidy of Brewer, Maine, Erin (Cassidy) and TSGT. William Lawson of San Antonio, Texas, Meghan (Cassidy) and Major Stephen Joca of Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; his eight grandchildren, Courtney Cassidy, Chase Brucks, Tyler, Conner and Jacob Lawson, Stephen, John and Hannah Joca; his sister and brother in law, Nellie (Cassidy) and David Barnard of Baileyville, Maine; his brothers and their wives, John Sr. and Elaine Cassidy of Winslow, Maine, Vinton and Anne Cassidy of Calais, Maine, and William and Sue Cassidy of Standish, Maine; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00a.m., Saturday, May 13, 2017, at Immaculate Conception R.C. Church in Calais. Following the visitation, A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Kevin J. Martin, at 11 a.m. Burial will be after in Calais Cemetery. There will be a reception to follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Gifts in Ed’s name may be made to Advance Pancreatic Cancer Research at Mayo Clinic, Florida. Your donation may be sent to: Mayo Clinic, Florida, Department of Development, Mayo Clinic 4500 San Pablo Rd. South, Jacksonville, FL 32225. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais & Eastport.

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