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Birth: 1935 Death: 2023 On September 30, 1935, Bernice Esther Carlson and Harold Francis Cassidy welcomed their first born to their home in Valley City, North Dakota. Yet, Lawrence Darrow Cassidy’s stay was cut short as his parents soon decided to head west to join extended family in San Francisco. Early in life he began to manifest and hone the traits and interests for which he was best known.
Time spent with his paternal grandmother listening to Giants games on the radio while learning to keep score and, later, pitching in Little League games fostered his love of baseball. Starting his own carefully curated stamp collection nurtured his attention to detail and interest in exploring new topics and ideas. Early jobs, such as delivering the San Francisco Examiner to neighbors at first daylight, working at the local deli after school to raise funds for his first car (a Woodie) or parking cars in downtown garages to help finance his education, cultivated a sense of self-reliance and responsibility.
Following graduation from Saint Ignatius High School, participation in a few teenage hijinks notwithstanding, Larry earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from UC Berkley to begin a 20-year career centered in Los Angeles specializing in computer-controlled measuring systems for large manufacturing machines. Involved in several capacities ranging from design, quality control, installation and sales, his work took him cross country and overseas. Even though he greatly enjoyed the challenges and opportunities of his career, his heart remained in San Francisco and the bay area.
Weekend visits were as frequent as his schedule allowed. On a holiday visit to family and friends in 1962, he met Ava Lynne Camerzell, a teacher friend of a mutual friend. They were married the next June.
They settled first in Santa Ana and then in a newly built home in San Dimas. In addition to endeavors in engineering and teaching, Larry and Ava soon added parenting to their life resumes with the arrival of son Edan in 1968 and daughter Erin in 1970. Larry took on the role of dad with wonder, delight and enthusiasm as well as a paternal sense of responsibility.
From diaper changes and “good nights” to Back to School, Dads and Daughters/Sons events, Indian Guides and Little League, to Parent Clubs, field trips, academic events, Giants games and family vacations and celebrations, he was a prime participant. At the end of 1979, an opportunity arose which would allow a return to the Bay area and to own and grow a family business. Larry’s parents were planning to sell their small insurance business and retire.
Larry and Ava decided to take the risk and make the entrepreneurial pivot. It proved to be a wise decision. Mastery of the insurance world and running a business involved many of the same skills and much of the experience of Larry’s previous endeavors.
By nature, as well as training, he habitually sought solutions to problems or completion of projects, whether life-changing or merely the set-up of a shot on the golf course, with an analytical mind and a methodical approach. In 1980, The Cassidy Insurance Agency opened in Kings Village in Scotts Valley to grow from a small enterprise offering Life and Homeowners coverage from 2 companies to a full-service agency representing more than 85 companies. Larry remained at the helm for 39 years, often working long days and weekends.
(However, as soon as twin granddaughters appeared in 2006, he would regularly disappear for long lunches to “feed the babies.”) Generosity with his time, egalitarian in nature, genuine concern for everyone he encountered and his tenacious problem-solving skills garnered loyalty from an incredible number of clients that considered him their advocate and friend. Likewise, so many staff members remember his teaching abilities, limitless patience coupled with a waggish sense of humor.
He enthusiastically supported the building of a fun and enjoyable environment in the office, a “corporate culture” second to none. Larry left us on October 6, 2023. He is survived by Ava, his wife of 60 years, his son Edan Cassidy (Lissa Daniels), daughter Erin Cassidy Eagle (John) with granddaughters Ava and Ellen Eagle, brother Jerome Cassidy (Judi) with niece Cathy Cerna and nephews Christopher, Curtis and Craig Cassidy.
Family and friends are so fortunate to have shared a part of his life. He continues to live in the minds, hearts and spirits of a family who treasured him and endless friends and customers who will forever be grateful for the legacy he leaves with all those he touched. An Open House is planned for December 15, 2024, from 1 to 4 p.
m. to celebrate his 88 years. Please Email ava@trustthecia.
com for details. Honor with Flowers In memory of Lawrence D Plant a Living Memorial In memory of Lawrence D.
