Community Corner

Memorial Gathering 6-8pm for Ken Cassidy

The Pygmalion Salon owner, who passed away Wednesday, will be fondly remembered by friends, longtime Naples business colleagues and the community he championed.

A memorial service will be shared until 8 tonight for Ken Cassidy at the Naples hair salon from which he championed fellow property owners and previously led the local business improvement association.

Friends and colleagues said Cassidy passed away Wednesday after a respiratory illness and will be remembered at the service, to which the public is welcome.

"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we inform you of the death of Ken Cassidy from Pygmalion Salon," read an e-mail notice inviting the community to attend. "Please join us...to comfort, reflect and share stories with all those affected by his passing."

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Ken's Celebration of Life: Pygmalion Salon 5740 E. 2nd Light food and beverages

Cassidy had been a cosmetologist for over 36 years; a licensed cosmetology instructor for 25 years, and business owner at three locations. He was also a writer who had been published in numerous journals nationally. He also had worked as a consultant and lecturer "across the U.S. with distributors, salon, spa and barbering owners and managers setting up their businesses for Employee & Contract Labor / Booth Renting," said Kimberley Miller, secretary of the Naples Island Business Assn.

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Some of those who will miss him offered their remembrances to Patch:

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Ken Cassidy for the past two years and he helped me so much when I took over as secretary and we had a lot in common as I was a hair dresser years ago and so we had always chatted about the lasted styles. Ken was always helping others first, each general meeting he would make sure everyone had food and drinks before he would even sit down and would always hugs you and alway with a samile on his face . As Ken was a long time business owner on Naples Island and has seen many people come and go Ken remained a life long friend to those who knew him on Naples Island."

"Ken was a fixture on 2nd St. in Naples.  Besides running his Salon and Salon consulting businesses, he was a leader in the Naples Island Business Association (NIBA).  He served as President 3-4 different times and also held numerous other positions.  But most importantly, Ken was an optimist and a people-person.  I never heard him uttered a negative comment about anyone.  He always saw the best in people.  He was always fun to be with and will be truly missed by all of us that knew him well."--Dave Ursini of Naples Rib Company.

Mr. Cassidy has won a variety of awards in hair competitions. He is a member of the Naples Island Business Association, Long Beach Special Olympics, Long Beach Police Officer's Association, Executive Women International, the Professional Beauty Association, National Cosmetology Association, The Day Spa Association, California Cosmetology Association, Professional Beauty Federation of California, is a lifetime member and has served on the Board of the Long Beach Hairdressers Guild Foundation.


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