Cass John "Papa" Kershaw

Cass J. Kershaw, 70, who died at home, Monday, October 10, 2011 surrounded by his family. He was much loved as a husband, father, papa and friend.
Cass was an only child, born to Mary and Dr. Cass Kershaw. His father was a veterinarian and his father's animal hospital was attached to the home where Cass grew up, providing him with a childhood filled with animals. Some of his greatest friendships throughout his life were with his many canine companions.
In Livonia, he attended the public schools until the age of 14, when he convinced his parents to send him to Tabor Academy in Massachusetts. While there he sailed with classmates on the Tabor Boy, the school's topsail schooner, played soccer and rowed crew.
Cass decided to enlist in the United States Army and he became a language translator and he was assigned to Germany for duty in Berlin, where he served for two years, just as the Berlin Wall went up.
Cass returned to civilian life, eventually settling into a career with a company that installed and maintained industrial boilers for large companies in the Detroit area. Although he never had formal training as a mechanical engineer, he taught himself all he needed to know to be an effective salesman and consultant. It's a skill more of us wish we had because, as we all know, Cass could fix anything around the house!
He had no tolerance for bigotry at a time when narrow-mindedness was common and accepted. He conveyed these principals to all four of his children, not by words alone, but by his daily actions. He once confided to someone that one of the things he was most proud of was the integrity his children possessed, and today his children thank him for that!
Cass' love loved the Detroit Tigers and over the last several years he loved going to Florida for Tiger Spring training.
Cass John Kershaw was united in marriage to Marlene J. Schimmel on July 1, 1972, in Battle Creek and they had just celebrated 39 year together, and together they loved travel that included road trips out West and down South.
In addition to his wife Marlene, Cass is survived by his children; Terry (Gary) Jane Kimlick, Tracey Hall & Lisa M. Kershaw, Kelly (Steven) Kershaw Smith
Jonathan Cass Kershaw; six grandchildren, Kyle Kimlick, Zöe Kimlick , Devin Kimlick, Haley Kershaw, Caden Smith, Gwendolyn Smith
At the request of the family, friends may call after 2:00 pm Wednesday, Oct 12th, at the Thayer-Rock Funeral Home, 3360 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI, where the family will receive friends from 2- 4 & 6-8 pm. The funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at 10:00 AM at the funeral home, on Thursday, October 13, 2011. Interment will be at 12:30 pm, Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Rd, Holly, MI 48442 with full military honors. Friends who wish may make memorial contribution to the American Cancer Society or Angela Hospice Home Care, 14100 Newburgh Rd, Livonia, MI.