[Reading-hall-of-fame] Re: [EXT] Re: Jack Cassidy

Mon May 24 01:10:07 BST 2021

Thank you, Norm, for forwarding the sad news from Jack Cassidy's family. Like so many others who have expressed fond memories of Jack, I, too, recall many of Jack's notable contributions to our field. What impressed me most was his selfless dedication to keeping reading and IRA/ILA on the front burner in terms of both the organization's "doings" and the general membership's wishes. He was the field's ambassador of reading writ large. He also was fearless in introducing ideas (sometimes controversial but always with good intentions). Jack knew how to live life to its fullest--expansively with the professional field and lovingly with Drew and and their immediate family. His FB posts were decidedly upbeat and reassuring. He was a role model on many levels. Jack, you are missed on earth, but wherever you are, keep the celestial communications going--with your ready smile, of course!
Donna Alvermann

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From: reading-hall-of-fame-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk <reading-hall-of-fame-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk> on behalf of P Pearson <ppearson at berkeley.edu>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 1:37 AM
To: Hoffman, James <James.Hoffman at unt.edu>
Cc: reading hall of fame <reading-hall-of-fame at lists.nottingham.ac.uk>
Subject: [Reading-hall-of-fame] Re: [EXT] Re: Jack Cassidy

[EXTERNAL SENDER - PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY]

Building on the previous comments to add my very similar thoughts.  I don't know of anyone in the field who cared more about and spent more time and energy tending to the welfare and integrity of the reading profession.  The other thing that I really liked and respected about Jack is how he re-invented himself professionally when he moved to Corpus Christi and established such a powerhouse graduate program dedicated to advancing the reading profession.  Many of us try to be a conscience for the profession, but we pale in serving that role when we compare ourselves to Jack and the legacy he left for us.  He has been our mariner in the voyage to sustain the profession.  Sail on, Jack!
David

On Sun, May 23, 2021 at 6:28 AM Hoffman, James <James.Hoffman at unt.edu<mailto:James.Hoffman at unt.edu>> wrote:
I echo Jim's comments. When I attended my first IRA board meeting I was told  ." . .  don't be surprised if Jack Cassidy, a past president,  shows up as an observer. He is always checking on us." He did and he continued to do more than checking in on IRA throughout his career. Jack was vocal and forceful in advocating for our profession and the role and direction of the IRA.  He was particularly concerned over the past several years.  His voice will be missed and I not certain who will take up that fight.

. . . thank you, Jack!

________________________________
From: reading-hall-of-fame-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:reading-hall-of-fame-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk> <reading-hall-of-fame-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:reading-hall-of-fame-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk>> on behalf of Baumann, James F. <baumannj at missouri.edu<mailto:baumannj at missouri.edu>>
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 5:09 AM
Cc: reading hall of fame <reading-hall-of-fame at lists.nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:reading-hall-of-fame at lists.nottingham.ac.uk>>
Subject: [EXT] [Reading-hall-of-fame] Re: Jack Cassidy

Thanks for sharing, Norm. What a grand, gracious fellow. A true IRA and reading teacher advocate. His passion for promoting the professional standards and status of literacy educators in the PK-12 realm is one of his lasting legacies. Godspeed, Jack.

On May 22, 2021, at 9:19 PM, Brian Cambourne <bcambrn at uow.edu.au<mailto:bcambrn at uow.edu.au>> wrote:

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Thanks for informing us Norman.
So sad to learn that another of our number have died.
 I  went to Jack Cassidy’s  sessions at IRA, NCTE and other conferences whenever I could. I didn't know him personally, but his presentations and publications informed my own work, and I was very grateful for his scholarship.
 Brian Cambourne
On 23 May 2021, at 9:49 am, Norman Stahl <flowercjs at aol.com<mailto:flowercjs at aol.com>> wrote:

Friends

I am saddened to share the following news with you about our colleague Jack Cassidy.

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Dr. William (Jack) Cassidy passed away today at 5:30am after a long battle with cancer. We are asking that flowers not be sent but any other ideas in order to honor his memory would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Jeff Cassidy

________________________________

Be well...

Norm

Norman Stahl
flowercjs at aol.com<mailto:flowercjs at aol.com>
Historian Reading Hall of Fame
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