Obituary - Revd Patrick Cassidy

The Revd Patrick Cassidy, who served the Diocese in many capacities over his long ministry, died in Marseille on 12th June after a short illness, aged 84.  

After graduating in French and Italian from Trinity College, Dublin, Patrick trained for ministry at Salisbury Theological College.  He was ordained Deacon in 1966, Priest in 1967, and served his title at St Barnabas Heaton in Bradford, where he enjoyed visiting parishioners (particularly, by his own admission, if they had television sets during Wimbledon fortnight).  On completing his curacy, he was appointed Assistant Chaplain in Brussels (1968-70) and then Chaplain of South West France (1970-72).  Next came eleven years as Vicar of a busy parish in London, St Luke’s Oseney Crescent with St Paul’s Camden Square, which he combined with theatre chaplaincy in the West End.  He was himself a gifted actor, with a memorable speaking and singing voice.  

Patrick then returned to the Diocese in Europe as chaplain of Strasbourg with Stuttgart and Heidelberg, where he remained for two years (1983-84).  Back in England, for a time he took up language teaching, acquiring a home in Sussex and holding PTO in the Diocese of Chichester.  But the call of Europe returned and, in 1990, he was appointed chaplain of All Saints’ Marseille with Aix-en-Provence, where he remained for fifteen happy years until retirement.  He was closely involved in the ecumenical life of Marseille and liked the city’s ethnic diversity, which was reflected in the make-up of the congregation.  In retirement he took on locum duties in Menton and Tangier, also travelling to remoter parts of the world on a series of cruise holidays.  Yet it was to Marseille that he returned, especially during the winter months.  He was a much-loved member of the congregation at All Saints’, continuing to take services there when needed.  

All who worked and worshipped with Patrick will remember him as naturally convivial, a kind pastor and an entertaining preacher.  At his funeral in Marseille, gratitude was expressed for a long and varied life of ministry.  May he now rest in the joy of his Lord.  

The Revd James Johnston

Chaplain / Aumonier

All Saints’ Marseille