1929 ~ 2025
Fred Burton Cassity died of natural causes on December 14, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born on July 11,1929 to Alta Vera Burton Cassity and Leland Julian Cassity. He was raised in Salt Lake City in a loving home, alongside his two sisters, Helen Cassity Higgins and Mary Jane Cassity Anderson. When Burt was only eleven years old, his father passed away, a loss that profoundly shaped his life. Burt lived each day honoring the memory of the father he deeply loved and missed.
In 1951, Burt married Joanne Claire Barber. Together they built a beautiful family and were blessed with five children, 20 grandchildren, and 37 great grandchildren (and one on the way), all of whom were the absolute light of his life. Burt spent his life building relationships with everyone around him. Each child, grandchild and great grandchild knew that he loved them deeply and that he was very proud of them. He was the ultimate family man.
Burt was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and remained steadfast in his faith throughout his life. He exemplified gospel principles through his love and service to others, standing firm in his beliefs and freely sharing his faith.
He honorably served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He and Joanne spent time in Brooklyn, New York, Alameda California and Astoria Oregon. His years in the Navy provided the foundation for him to become a loyal American.
Following his service, Burt graduated from the University of Utah in 1952. He was a proud member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, where he served as president and enthusiastically sang fraternity songs to anyone who would listen. He loved everything about being a “Utah Man” and remained a loyal Ute throughout his life.
Burt spent his professional career working for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of New York, where he worked in Salt Lake City, Utah, Fargo, North Dakota and Oakland, California.
After the passing of his beloved wife Joanne in 1996, Burt found companionship again and married Sally Rich Burbidge in 2001. They shared six happy years together, before Sally’s passing in 2007. Burt lovingly embraced Sally’s children and grandchildren as his own, cherishing them as part of his extended family.
Burt loved to play racquetball, tennis and enjoyed running. He ran many marathons, including the Boston Marathon, the New York Marathon and several others within Utah. Burt was also a big sports fan throughout his life. He shared his love for sports with his children and grandchildren. Together they attended many sporting events, cheering on favorite teams such as the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland A’s. He also loved his four-legged furry companions. He always had a dog throughout his life. When he lost his sight in his later years, Burt was blessed to have a guide dog, Raymond, who guided him and offered him constant companionship.
Burt Cassity will be remembered for his positivity and resilience, as well as for his unwavering faith, deep devotion to family, honorable service, and unending love. His legacy of love, faith, courage and integrity will live on in all who knew him.
Burt is survived by his five children: Mary Padua (Bobby – deceased), Claire Cassity (Tom Mulcock), Lee Cassity (Tammy), Carolann Holmes (Stephen), Jane Winters (Tim). He is also survived by his extended family: Clark Burbidge, Jill Wiscomb and Karin Cook, along with his many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2615 Stringham Ave. in Salt Lake City on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 2:00 pm. For family and friends who would like to pay their final respects to the family, a gathering/viewing will be held prior to the service from 12:30 to 1:45 pm.
Those wishing to view the completed service via Zoom can click the "Watch Service" button or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/JAoyXsPHl1WTu7yHUXyoBMAWC0_k4eJk-DAvpMZQ0sfZsLSRNho5oxWsRsa6g9oF.y5MI_sRu6uvcFZuF?startTime=1766262436000
I am so sorry to hear of Burt’s passing. I was lucky enough to meet him and Raymond last year when he graciously let me stay at his home with Jane when we came to Utah for a visit. He was so funny and kind. Jane spoke so much of him and the great relationship he had with all of his children and grandchildren. That is such a gift! Thinking of all of you…
-Much love,
Kellie Milne
Your dad was a loving and inviting person. His warm smile and contagious laugh made you feel welcome and a part of his family.
We will all miss him.
Claire… I am sorry sorry to hear about your sweet dad. I know he will be very missed. He was always a part of your life. I know your heart will cherish all those sweet messages. My deepest condolences to you and your entire family. Love Deby
Uncle B…what an enormously brilliant light in so many lives. Always a welcoming smile. I loved being around Uncle B and Grammy. Blessings to all who cherished this wonderful man.
Such a wonderful kind man. His kind words to me and my wife the first time met was filled with unspoken love and kindness. May His soul rest in perfect peace.
So sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your whole family in my prayers as you go through this difficult time.
So sorry Mary! What a handsome man! My deepest Sympathy
Cassity Ohana,
I am grateful for the chance to be part of your dear father's final journey. He will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on many. Thank you for everything Uncle Freddy. Sending my deep condolences and sympathy to you all Cassity Ohana at this time. 'Ofa lahi atu
To my beloved Cassity cousins;
Your family, and your dad especially, always make me and everyone feel loved, welcome and important. What a great gift you all are to the world.
Your father was the most amazing person, so loving and hilariously funny. I will never forget the prayers he gave at our family dinners, and his enthusiastically singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus on Christmas. Your home was always filled with a contagious, positive energy
He never wavered from his values and beliefs, while always sincerely interested in others; never judging, but listening with open heart and mind.
I know they are celebrating his arrival in heaven. May God comfort you as you grieve the loss of your father.
Love always,
Katie
Fred was an absolutely wonderful man. He was so kind and graceful to me. He made me feel special. I will always have a place in my heart.
Burt was truly an original. He and Joanne and their family moved into our neighborhood many years ago and we got to know them well. Burt was a true professional in the very best sense of the word. He was always totally dependable, true to his word, and very fun to be around. We were sorry to see him and his family move away in later years, but stayed in touch until about a year ago. A truly remarkable individual! How he will be missed by all who knew him, especially his family.
We were surprised and saddened to hear of our beloved Burt passing last weekend. It seems that some people, like Burt, would simply continue to live forever. He embodied goodness, kindness and a loving heart and was the very definition of a gentleman. He always knew just the right things to say to raise our spirits, encourage our efforts and make us feel just a little bit better than we might have otherwise been. He brought joy and happiness to our mother after her difficult loss and we cherish his memory and involvement in our lives.
There are some people that make a huge difference for good and peace in the lives of everyone they touch. Burt was one of those uniquely Christlike individuals. He left an eternal mark in our souls. We will always love him and remember him with fondness and gratitude. But joy in the knowledge that he is in the midst of wonderful reunions with those he has missed so dearly.
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful man with our family.
All our Love,
Clark and Leah Burbidge
With deepest sadness, we sincerely send our condolences to you Mary Padua and family. May you be comforted by our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in this difficult time
Burt was a great human being. I enjoyed our visits when we were skiing in Utah and our annual phone calls on July 11th, our mutual birthdays.