Background
James Cassidy was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, to James and Mary (née Byrne) Cassidy. His parents were both Irish immigrants. His father was from County Waterford and his mother from County Armagh.
James Cassidy was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, to James and Mary (née Byrne) Cassidy. His parents were both Irish immigrants. His father was from County Waterford and his mother from County Armagh.
He attended Saint Charles College in Ellicott City, Maryland, and Saint Mary"s Seminary in Baltimore.
He served as Bishop of Fall River from 1934 until his death in 1951. He continued his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood on September 8, 1898.
Cassidy served as professor of science at Saint Joseph"s Seminary in Yonkers, New York, where he also served as treasurer for three years.
He then served in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and later became chancellor of the Diocese of Fall River. From 1908 to 1913, he served as rector of Saint Mary"s Cathedral.
He was named vicar general (1909) and a domestic prelate (1912) before becoming pastor of Saint Patrick"s Church in Fall River in 1913. On March 21, 1930, Cassidy was appointed auxiliary bishop of Fall River and titular bishop of Ibora by Pope Pius XI. He received his episcopal consecration on the following May 27 from Archbishop Pietro Fumasoni Biondi, with Bishops Joseph John Rice and George Albert Guertin serving as co-consecrators, at Saint Mary"s Cathedral.
As an auxiliary bishop, he continued to serve as pastor of Saint Patrick"s and vicar general.
Cassidy was named coadjutor bishop of Fall River on July 13, 1934. Upon the death of Bishop Daniel Francis Feehan, he succeeded him as the third Bishop of Fall River on July 28 of that year. During his 17-year tenure, Cassidy earned a reputation as a strong supporter of temperance and of the rights of workingmen.
He also took an active interest in the needs of the elderly, founding several homes for the aged.
He was the first American bishop to receive the crimson cross of the Order of Christ from the Portuguese government. Five years later, Cassidy died at his residence in Fall River, at age 81.