Captain I – Fire Station 56
Deceased:
March 13, 2023
Appointed:
05/15/1977
Pensioned:
01/20/2012 – FS56
Services:
TBA
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Chris Hare says
What a pleasure working with this man. He was an older Captain working at a young man’s station for a long time. Engine 13 was at all our fires when I worked at 11’s and 26’s. He always complimented us on supporting his company’s efforts. We considered 13’s as a part of our Task Force. Later he was a great resource from 56’s using his knowledge of the hydrant system in Griffith Park for our annual brush training. He was a great liaison with the Park Brush Patrols. This man never took a break.
Ken is gone way too soon. I miss all the great talks and laughs we had. He will make a wonderful addition to God’s house. Rest in Peace Ken.
Lynndee Cassidy says
Thank you Chris for posting this message I did my best to read it to our family when we got together to say goodbye. These memories are priceless when we go too soon.
Jim Polzer says
One of the nicest persons I worked with in the LAFD. RIP Ken.
Robert McMaster says
I first met Ken in 1988 when he transferred into Fire Station 84. I had arrived at that assignment just weeks before as a brand-new Captain I. In speaking with Ken that first day I learned that he lived in Hesperia. I mentioned that that was quite a drive and that he must drive by at least 20 L.A. City fire stations to get to FS 84. He told me that his two young daughters lived in Woodland Hills and even though they were always welcome at his place in Hesperia where they spent a great deal of time, it was never enough and that he wanted to be a part of their lives and near them even when he was at work.
For the next two years that I was assigned to FS84 and beyond Ken drove over 200 miles per shift to be near his girls and be part of their lives. In those days FS84 was the happening place of many surprise family gatherings from birthday parties to holiday gatherings, we had them all.
Ken Cassidy was always a hard worker, an excellent fire station cook and a very good firefighter but he was a GREAT DAD just ask his two girls. My condolences to Ken’s family. Thanks for the memories, Kenny, rest in peace my friend.
Lynndee Cassidy says
Your message was the second and last one that I was able to read aloud at our families service, Jennifer had to take over. Thank you so much for the beautiful words they mean the world to me!
John Vidovich says
Kenny and I were reliefs at old 13’s for a few years. What a great man and kind sole. His family was his pride and joy and his legacy will live on through them. Rest in Peace my friend..
Dale Bayless says
So sorry to see the passing of Ken. Blessings to his wonderful family. One of my favorite guys to work with, even though our paths separated during our career. I couldn’t help but share my memory of him. This was an off duty experience. I was at dinner in his home that he had just built in Hesperia. This was still when we had phones that actually had a normal ring. While we were eating that phone of his rang so much that it began to take it’s toll. I finally said ” Ken, I don’t mind if you answer it while we are eating”. Well, come to find out it was not his phone at all but their pet African Gray bird who wanted attention by making phone ringing sounds. Funniest thing, I’ll never forget.
Scot Hopkins says
Ken came to 56’s from 13’s when I met him. We heard that his wife made him transfer because she didn’t want him to retire from such a busy assignment. He always treated his personnel with respect and had our backs. He was a hard worker, which trickled down to us. He was working hard up until retirement. One of his unrecognized accomplishments was his work with the hydrant system in Griffith Park. He mapped out all the hydrants several times (some missing/moved), and would come in before his shift in the dark and would putt botz dots in.
Even at 56’s his daughters would come in and visit and on occasion have dinner with us. His love for his daughters showed on his face. Rest In Peace Cap.
Bill Koenig says
Sorry to hear of Kens passing. We were classmates May of 77. He showed his sense 0f humor by having a stuffed dummy at the top of the drill tower and proceeded to launch it as we were going up and over. That only happened once. RIP Ken.
Scott Gould says
This is very sad news. Ken and I worked together in Battalion 15, became Inspectors and Captains together. I always enjoyed our long conversations. Ken was the voice of reason. Rest in peace my brother, until we meet again.
Robert Marion says
Captain Kenny was a firefighter’s firefighter! He always trained his crew with encouragement and compassion. I always enjoyed working a day at FS 56 on the engine with Kenny. Work or play he made you feel apart of the team! He had a great ability to lash you with a verbal rebuke if needed! Later as a Staff Assistant, partnered with Chris Logan in Batt 2, I learned that Kenny always had things covered, on an incident, in the office or at training! What a great gentleman, to have walked the firefighting path with! God bless Ken’s family in this time of great loss!
Sheldon McKowan says
So sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. What a gentle and kind man. Ken always had a great smile and a warm welcoming personality. We were inspectors together in Hi-Rise and then our paths crossed many times in the following years. My sympathies to his family. A great guy gone way to soon!
john kitchens says
Uh, Bill, who dropped the dummy over the top of the tower? I was standing next to Jack Gamrat and Ray Olsen when Captain Gamrat mentioned that he was surprised that no one had ever fallen off the ladder while doing the “up and over” when there was a noise and the dummy fell off the tower/ladder. Captain Olsen, the drillmaster, had a somewhat interesting reaction and response. I saw Ken many time over the years, but never worked around him except for SOD in Battalion 2 when he was at 56’s. I made it a point to stop by and BS with him a bit. Enjoyed Ken. Condolences to the family. I know what it is like to be left alone, too soon.
Al Barrios says
Hopalong, I was sad to hear of your passing. Although we were never on the same shift together, I always enjoyed your company when we did work together. Gould mentioned you were the voice of reason. That is so true on many subjects and occasions. Rest in Peace my friend. Condolences to the Cassidy Family.
Phillip J Weireter says
Kenny was a distant relative of mine and we had a lot in common on & Off the job, Kenny was a Gentleman & Excellent Fire Officer, Very sad to hear of his passing & How Retirement separates so many of us, Rest in Eternal Peace Kenny, Love You Man!
Christian Gunzel says
I was a boot fireman at 56s on the C shift when Cap was on the A shift. His knowledge of Griffith park and his relationship he had with the people in that district impressed me. One of my favorite memories was just before he retired a lot of us all went to Laughlin for his retirement party. It was a great time and a great send off for a good man. RIP Cap