Our Brother needs no feeble eulogy of mine to perpetuate his memory but I want to say a few words of grateful appreciation of one who has been a true friend to me for many years.

Mr. Cassidy belonged to another generation and to a class that today is almost extinct. I mean the Local Preachers of the former Methodist Church.

Our Brother on many occasions has done the work of a missionary in reading and praying with the sick and dying.

His passing has been a distinct loss to us all. He will be missed in the home, the community and the church. The nearest and most immediate loss will be in the home. No matter how old our parents may be, their loss will be greatly felt.

The community will miss our Brother whose wise council and willing . . . . . . ‏(remainder of text missing)‏

At the dedication of F.E. Cassidy Memorial Church on September 25, 1949 also by Rev. Shanklin:

Forty-six years ago next month I came to this field as assistant on the Sussex Methodist circuit of which this church formed a part. Then in 1918, I came to the Springfield circuit and found that I was the pastor of this church for it was a part of that charge with the parsonage of Belleisle Station. During these years, almost two years as assistant and five years as pastor, Mr. Cassidy's home was my headquarters when I came to Cassidy Lake. During these years I had a good chance to know what a splendid man Mr. Cassidy was. He was an exceptionally good mechanic and carpenter. Long before power plants were installed in carpenter shops, he made window sashes, doors etc. all by hand and he made them well. As a businessman he was above reproach. His word was as good as his bond. When this church was built, he gave the land and I have no doubt that he did a large part of the building. Then, during the years, he took it upon himself to take care of it. Many times during cold winter days I have seen him coming down here to start the fire so that it would be comfortable to have our service. When we had no organist, he would start the hymns and use his ability to make the service a success.

Mr. Cassidy was for years a local preacher in the Methodist Church. Many times did he visit the sick and the dying and read the scripture and pray with them. He was a member of the Official Board and again and again he attended conferences as the appointed delegate. This is a splendid thing that has been done. I can think of nothing more appropriate as a memorial to Francis Edward Cassidy than to fix up this little church by the side of the lake in such a beautiful and artistic manner where he worked and worshipped so long. At the same expense and with far less work a grand granite monument could have been erected up in the cemetery on the hill. But of what use would that be compared to this?

I can think of nothing that would please Mr. Cassidy so well as to see this little church where he so often and regularly worshipped fitted up in this beautiful manner. He would no doubt think that he was not worthy of such a memorial, but that would only show the humility of the man for no man was more worthy.

This work so well done deserves the sincere thanks of the community and the church, for it was done without any cost to either the church or community. Mr. Cassidy's sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, and descendants made the plans, carried out the work, and paid the bills. It was certainly a splendid thing to do. To see these successful young people and older people coming back to scenes of their youth and putting up such a memorial should make us thank God and take courage.

And before I close I would like to add a word about the work that has been done here. As you can see it was the work of an artist. I do not know where you would go to find another man who could do such work as has been done here. This man probably has inherited some of the ability and artistic touch of the man whose memory this church is to perpetuate; he is Mr. Matthew Cassidy, son of Mr. Francis Edward Cassidy. It is with grateful hearts that we say thank you to this man and to all those who have helped to do this splendid work.

Francis Edward always gave to the church. In fact money went to the church that was often really needed at home. He went to the Church Conference every year. Once a month when the minister came, benches were carried into the sitting room to make it ready for the meeting. They never knew when he was coming. A Franklin stove in the front room kept clothes warm for the minister. The Circuit Rider period lasted about 10 years.

Stan Cassidy recalls that once when assisting in the repair of the homestead ‏(replacing a sill at the front of the parlor in the southwest corner of the original section of the building)‏ a piece of paper fell out from inside the wall. It was the marriage certificate of Francis Edward and Jane. Stan was told that this was done by newlyweds as a form of confidence and solidarity in the family union. It is a fact though that feelings often ran high between the family members. At one point, a family quarrel erupted, and only subsided when William and Jane moved about 100 yards ‏(90 m)‏ to the northeast of the homestead and built a cabin of their own.

Among Francis Edward's memorbilia are a number of promisory notes from people in the community. From these we can conclude the Francis Edwards may have been better off than others in the community. We can also see from one of the notes that he is referred to as Edward. Perhaps that is the name he commonly went by.

Francis Edward sold farm produce in Saint John where he purchased the necessary items needed at home. Originally, the trip was done on horseback. Later, a wagon was used ‏(called an express wagon)‏ to transport merchandise. When he arrived home, his children would search the wagon for goodies ‏(candy etc.)‏. The express wagon was a very useful vehicle. It had 6 inch ‏(15 cm)‏ sides and a tailgate that sometimes did not lock in position.