TRIBUTES have been paid to a university college principal who has died, aged 60.
Joe Cassidy was principal of St Chad’s College at Durham University, as well as a canon of Durham Cathedral.
Born in Canada, Dr Cassidy was a Catholic theologian before becoming an Anglican in 1993, a priest in 1996 and principal at St Chad’s the following year.
A liberal in his beliefs, he was made a cathedral canon in 2001.
Known as Papa Joe to his students, Dr Cassidy was described as a “remarkable principal” by colleagues.
The Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove, the Dean of Durham, said he was much loved and modest, with genuine humility, and praised his “personal and spiritual qualities”.
“If you ask Chad’s students and alumni what they will remember Papa Joe for, you will hear a lot about his humane wisdom, his personal warmth, his quick-witted love of repartee and his intellectual liveliness,” he said.
Dr Cassidy died on Saturday, March 28, following a heart attack a week earlier. He is survived by his wife Gillian and children Emmeline, Marianne and Benedict.
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