My husband and I were both in plays in high school.  We had been in plays and musicals in different high schools.  Because of this, when we got married, we still did some shows.  That’s why we both knew Mr. Cassidy.  Ollie had been in many shows with him because he directed them at his high school and counted on him to take male roles because guys were always in short supply as opposed to the girls.  I knew him through community theater. 

When our daughter was born, she became a part of our pioneer family in a Bicentennial Pageant.  It depicted different time periods as the characters walked in procession wearing various costumes for the celebration. 

He was known for his designing and making of costumes and for his extremely large casts. Since our daughter was a part of the cast, he made her a costume too.  He signed a program for her to “the littlest trouper.”  He was very sweet to her and us.  He had been known to be brutal at times, with his criticisms of his actors.  By the time I knew him, he had mellowed a little.  

As time went on, we became closer to him.  He had no family of his own except for his aunts.  He lived with them, and when they died he was left alone.  After our son was born we went to visit him.  As my son got older he would tell a joke that he had made up for him.  My daughter would sing a song. He loved it!

We moved to California and I wrote to him.  It was hard for him to write, but he would always reply in cursive.  He had very painful arthritis and they were difficult to read, but he was faithful in communicating with us, as we were with him.  When we would come back home for a visit, we would go to see him.  

His health was failing, but he was still very “with it.”  And he was always in good spirits when we came.  He really enjoyed our kids.  It was special for them too.  I got the impression that he didn’t get a lot of visitors and he really appreciated it when we came.  I am pretty sure his favorite part was the joke and the song.