Francis E. Cassidy

Francis E. "Fran" Cassidy, 54, of Bedford, NH, died March 25, 2003, at Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA., after an intense fight against acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Born April 8, 1948, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of William and Jean (Broughton) Cassidy. He had been a resident of Bedford, NH for the past 10 years.

He was raised with five siblings in Dudley, MA, attended Maryannopolis Prep School, and graduated with a BA from Marquette University in 1971, and an MBA from the Univeristy of New Hampshire, in 1978.

Fran devoted himself to commercial real estate work in New Hampshire, aftersettling here with his first wife, Patricia Riebel Cassidy, in 1972. He was the founder and president of Focus Real Estate Advisors for the past 20 years.

An active member of the greater Manchester business community, he gave years of service to the Daniel Webster Boy Scout Council, and the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. Fran assumed leadership positions in numerous real estate organizations, including NH CIBOR, the NE CCIM Chapter, and Plan NH.

Fran was an enthusiastic participant in many athletic activities, includinggolf, tennis, and skiing. His passions included sailing, hosting friends andfamily, and cooking on the grill. He was a wise and gentle friend to many.

Family members include his wife of 10 years, Joyce (Rowe) Cassidy of Bedford, NH; a daughter, Theresa Cassidy of Colorado Springs, CO,; a son, Christopher Michael Cassidy of Manhattan, NY; a step daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Michaels of Bedford, NH; 3 sisters, Jean Chlapowski of Dudley, MA, Mary Wizotsky of Putnam, CT., and Alice McKenzie of Naperville, Ilinois; two brothers, William Cassidy of Hyannis, MA, and Thomas Cassidy of Putnam, CT; his first wife, Patricia (Riebel) Cassidy of Moultonboro, NH; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He shared close relationships withhis five siblings and their spouses, and was a beloved brother-in-law. Histwenty-four nieces and nephews, to whom he was a favorite uncle, willespecially miss Fran.

A memorial service was Saturday March 29, 2003 in the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 495 Old Connecticut Path, Suite 220, Framingham, MA, 01701 or the American Cancer Society Memorial Giving Program, Gail Singer Memorial Building, 360 State Route 101, Suite 501, Bedford, NH, 03102-5032