Thomas Conway Cassin unwillingly took his last breath on the morning of January 20th, 2024-as he had lived; on his own terms, at home surrounded by family, with a twinkle in his eye and his spirit intact.
Widowed early, Tom devoted his life to working hard to provide for his four daughters; in return, after an unpropitious second marriage, his daughters devoted their time to being his caretakers and are grateful for the quality time together at the family homes in Nashua and Europe. Tom was pre-deceased by his wife, love of his life and mother to his girls Patricia (Vanderlosk) Cassin; his eldest daughter, Karen Lee Weeks; his sister, Nancy Cassin; and his two lower legs.
Tom started out in life in Lowell, Massachusetts, the son of Thomas J. Cassin and Mary Conway, a longtime Lowell teacher and one of the first female graduates of Boston University. Tom himself was a proud graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, where he was the baseball catcher under famed coach Jack Barry.
Tom retired as Vice President of Sales from Pitco/Blodgett Corporation after 50 years of charming his colleagues with his wit and wisdom in the commercial appliance industry. Tom considered his co-workers family and his Reps, Dealers, and customers in the industry to be some of his closest friends.
Tom was deeply involved in NAFEM-The North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers, serving on its Board of Directors for 6 years. He received NAFEM’s highest industry honor in 2007 when he was presented with the William W. Carpenter Award by Carol Wallace, President of NAFEM. He also received the Market Mover award in 2001 from the Manufacturers’ Agents for the Foodservice Equipment
Industry, among many other awards and acknowledgements from his peers.
Tom’s favorite things included his hero, Joe Biden, his intellectual muse, Rachel Maddow, an impeccably knit sweater, reading anything, jelly donuts from Crosby’s Bakery, Friendly Fribbles and a love of Christmas (there were never enough decorations!). He traveled the world, including his many trips to Europe and a favorite; being wheeled through a three-week safari in Africa by sons-in-law, Big Jim and Philip.
Tom spent Christmas of 2021 with his entire family in Salzburg, Austria. We all pleasantly reminisced about a prior Segway ride in Austria that Tom took which ended with his broken hip. What a trip they both were!
Tom would stop to help anyone at the drop of a hat and graciously open his home, which became the favorite gathering spot for his and his daughter’s many family and friends whom he prioritized.
Tom is survived by a brother, James Cassin, and his wife, Joan of Lowell, Massachusetts.
Three daughters and their spouses: Sandra Dei Dolori (Philip) of Ogunquit, Maine, Michelle Cassin (James Reed) of Nashua, NH, and Kristen Cassin-Dubord (James) of Nashua, NH.
Tom had six grandchildren: Dr. Emily Weeks Graham and her husband Matt, Wyatt Weeks, Owen Weeks, James Cassin-Reed and his wife Lauren, Myles Cassin-Reed, and Olivia Dei Dolori.
In the nick of time, Tom met his first great-grandson, the little nugget Jones Cassin-Reed, born December 14th, 2023.
At the family home, an Irish wake, with laughter and stories of Tom’s legendary adventures, will be held on Thursday, January 25th from 5-8pm.
Tom was a life-long Democrat. In place of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute or The Planned Parenthood Federation of America because, as Tom would say, “They are both wonderful organizations and don’t forget to deduct it on your taxes!”
His Funeral Mass and Burial will be private, to be held on Saturday, January 27th at 10am at St. Christopher’s Parish in Nashua NH.
We are left with the bittersweet realization that even in death, Tom’s spirit will forever live in our hearts and undoubtedly in the donut shops he frequented. We love you dad and will miss you terribly. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com The Farwell Funeral Service, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, is assisting the family with arrangements.
