Obituary of Dr. Walter Joseph Cassidy

Dr. Walter J. Cassidy, 84, went to be with his heavenly father on Monday, January 15, 2024 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. Surrounded by family at his bedside at home, Walt passed away peacefully.

He was born in Midland, Ontario 9 September, 1939 to Theresa (Ochefski) and Bun (Bernard) Cassidy. He married Laura Mae (Hamilton) July 13, 1962. In 1964, Walt graduated from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario with his M.D. after which he interned at the Kingston General Hospital. Dr. Cassidy chose to do his residency at the Henry Ford Hospital from 1966-1968 in the same city as his beloved Detroit Red Wings. After moving back to Canada and taking up residence in Windsor/Woodslee, Dr. Cassidy has been staff psychiatrist at the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (I.O.D.E.) Hospital (1969-1980), staff psychiatrist at Metropolitan Hospital, Windsor (1986-1996), for many years as Chief of Psychiatry Windsor Regional Hospital Metropolitan campus (starting 1996) and Hotel-Dieu-Grace campus (starting 1999), and maintained a private practice where he cared for countless patients from 1981 until his retirement in 2018. Among his many achievements, Dr. Cassidy founded the first organized narcotic treatment programme in Michigan (1967), co-founder of the self-help programme for narcotic addicts (1968), and founder and initial director of the Community Mental Health Programme at was then called Windsor Western Hospital, but dear to him, above all else, was the devoted care of his patients.

He is survived by his wife, Laura Mae. His children Tanya Maria (Conrad), Andrea Louisa (Pierre), and Walter Theodore. Walt was a proud gramps to six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is survived by his siblings, David Cassidy and Sharon Jung, and preceded in death by his mother, father, and grandson Liam Theodore Cassidy-Brünstrom, many friends and relatives.

Visitation will take place on Friday, January 19th, 2024 from 1PM-3PM and 6PM-8PM at Windsor Chapel Funeral Home - Central (1700 Tecumseh Rd. E. Windsor). A funeral service will take place on Saturday, January 20th, 2024 at 11AM at Windsor Chapel Funeral Home - Central. Interment will take place in Heavenly Rest Cemetery (5005 Howard Ave. Windsor). A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers please consider sending donations to Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor-Essex County, 1400 Windsor Ave, Windsor ON N8X 3L9.