Msgr. Andrew J. Cassin, a priest for nearly 70 years who was retired from The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, died Feb. 23 at Blue Ridge Christian Homes, an assisted living facility in Raphine, Virginia. He was 94 years old.

Born Jan. 12, 1930, in County Kilkenny, Ireland to the late William and Alice Cassin, he grew up on his family farm, and later attended seminary at Saint Kieran’s College in Kilkenny.  He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Washington on June 6, 1954, in Saint Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny.
 Msgr. Cassin was first assigned to Saint Joseph Parish on Capitol Hill, where he served as parochial vicar for nine years. In 1963, he was assigned as parochial vicar of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Washington, D.C.

In 1966, he was named pastor of Saint Bernardine of Sienna Parish, Hillcrest Heights, Maryland, and in 1977, as pastor of Saint Pius X Parish, Bowie, Maryland, and in 1986, as pastor of Saint Aloysius Parish, Leonardtown, Maryland.

After a sabbatical year, he was named pastor in 1990 of Saint Peter Parish, Waldorf, Maryland, where he served until his retirement in 2000.

In retirement as pastor emeritus of Saint Peter Parish, he served as parochial administrator at Holy Ghost Parish, Newburg, Maryland, and at Saint Cecilia Parish, Saint Mary City, Maryland. Early in his retirement, Monsignor Cassin took up residence and ministry at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Staunton, Virginia, where he served until, in poor health, he took up residence at Blue Ridge Christian Homes.

Msgr. Cassin served as Dean of the Middle Prince George's County Deanery and of the Charles County Deanery. He also served as weekend assistant at the Dahlgren Naval Base, where he also offered adult education classes.

Msgr. Cassin was predeceased by his parents and his brothers Richard and Jimmy Cassin. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Mary, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, all residing in Ireland.

A wake service will be held March 4, at Henry Funeral Home, Staunton, Virginia, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated March 5 at 10:30 a.m. at Saint John the Evangelist Church in Waynesboro, Virginia. The Mass will be livestreamed at parish website, https://www.stjohnevan.com/  and with this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaBZ5y6QBpM.

Interment will follow immediately after the Mass at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Cemetery in Staunton.