Obituary

https://obituaries.seattletimes.com/obituary/frank-cassidy-jr-1087105458

"After a courageous twenty-five-year battle against Prostate Cancer. Frank (Larry) L Cassidy, Jr., age 83 passed away peacefully at home with his wife Marilou at his side on January19, 2023. Always positive about his situation, when asked how he was doing he would respond "I'm in the hunt".

A genuine Northwest man, Larry was born to Frank L. Cassidy and Ruby Clearwater Cassidy on November 4, 1939, in Portland, Oregon. Growing up in Seattle he attended Franklin High School and the University of Washington ('62). He loved the Dawgs! Vancouver, WA had been his home since 1966.

Larry's bigger than life personality served him well as he created businesses becoming a mentor offering guidance and friendship to many in the business world. His integrity, expectations, and visionary ability inspired us all.

His passion for salmon and steelhead in the Northwest ("it's about the fish") led him to several positions as a community activist and conservationist. His Governor appointed positions began in 1973 and included: Washington State Game Commission, Pacific Salmon Commission, North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission, Washington Salmon Recovery Funding Board, and the Wild Salmon Center. Larry considered his appointment by Governor Gary Locke to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (1998 to 2008) the most effective position in his efforts for fish conservation. He has left a legacy as a political activist and conservationist in the Northwest.

Larry enjoyed golfing at Royal Oaks Country Club in Vancouver where he was a member since 1988 and Black Butte Ranch in Oregon as well many courses around the world.

For the past forty years Larry's greatest joy had been spending time at the family's Sunrise Ranch on the banks of the Grande Ronde River in S.E. Washington surrounded by an abundance of fish and wildlife. An accomplished outdoorsman who enjoyed fly fishing, hunting, riding horses, and watching the Big Horn Sheep. One of his greatest joys was teaching his children and grandchildren to hunt for deer and elk.

He was the ultimate husband, father, and grandfather. So very proud of his family and always ready to tell the world of their stories and achievements.

He is preceded in death by his father, Frank Cassidy, mother Ruby Cassidy and sisters Maureen Larsen and Gloria Reed. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Marilou. Daughters Erin (Paul) Galeno, Lynn (Jeff) Kuschke, and son Michael (Jennifer) Cassidy. Grandchildren: Alexandria Pierce, Amelia Galeno, Joseph Galeno, Siobhan Cassidy, Kevin Cassidy, Amanda Kuschke, Mara Cassidy, Liam Cassidy, Sean Cassidy, Michael Cassidy, Jr., Colleen Cassidy and Patrick Cassidy. Also, several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family would like to thank Peace Health Hospice for the loving and caring end of life care for Larry. Contributions in Larry's honor can be sent the Prostate Cancer Research fund at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. https://give.ohsu/foundation.org or OHSU Foundation, P.O. Box 29017, Portland, OR 97296. ATTN: FUND "Prostate Cancer Research. In honor of Larry Cassidy."

https://wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/directors-statement/director-statement-passing-frank-larry-cassidy-jr

"The natural resources community, along with many others, is feeling the heavy loss of Frank “Larry” Cassidy Jr., former Washington Game Commission member and northwest conservationist.

Cassidy was appointed to the Washington Game Commission, which became the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, in 1973 and served for 12 years. He spent four years as Commission Chair. Cassidy also served as a member of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council for 10 years and served as a U.S. commissioner for both the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission and the Pacific Salmon Treaty. He was a founding member of the Washington Anglers for Conservation Political Action Committee, a super PAC that supports fish- and wildlife-friendly candidates for public office in Washington.

Cassidy’s work laid the foundation for the Northwest Power Act, which put power generation and fish restoration on equal footing, created the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, and, to this day, directs some proceeds from power generation at dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers to work to restore fish and wildlife populations impacted by the federal dams. Larry's political influence was also felt at the Washington state level; several Governor's sought his advice on natural resource issues and demonstrated their confidence in him through appointing him to his many Commission and Council seats.

In 2021, Larry and his wife, Marilou, donated a piece of land on the Grande Ronde River to WDFW. The parcel adjoins the popular Snyder Bar public water access area and Cassidy was happy to see it become public so that others could enjoy the river as much as he did. At that time, we at WDFW had the privilege of sitting down with him to learn more about his work and some of his adventures on the Grande Ronde.

Cassidy remained active in various fish and wildlife organizations up until his passing on Jan. 19. It is difficult to match his commitment to not only fish and wildlife, but to those that appreciate the resource, Washington state, and the Grande Ronde River that he loved so much."