Daniel F. Cashman

Daniel F. Cashman, born on October 5, 1946, son of George and Jacqueline and brother to Robert and Deborah, grew up in Wellesley and later graduated from Tufts University in 1968. He served as a VISTA volunteer in Worcester, MA and in the U.S. Army Reserves before attending law school at Cornell University. He spent several years as a staff attorney at Monroe County Legal Assistance Corporation, assisting indigent clients in Rochester, NY, before opening a private practice in Massachusetts focused on representing immigrants seeking asylum or residency in the U.S. In that work, Dan found great meaning, as well as an opportunity to indulge his curiosity about the world. He also earned the distinction of being the only known attorney who happily accepted food in lieu of payment for services.
Throughout his life, Dan remained steadfast in his love for his family and large circle of friends. He was a devoted and caring husband to Suzanne, his wife of nearly 53 years. Together, they took great pleasure in traveling, hiking, reading, being with friends, watching old movies, and most of all, raising their three children: Adam, Rebecca, and David.

He was active as a mentor through the Jewish Big Brother Big Sister Organization for many years, serving as a “big brother” to youth who lacked a father figure in their lives. Dan delighted in playfulness and laughter, and was seldom seen without a wide smile or the twinkle of anticipation that preceded it. He routinely sought out the storytellers among his kids’ friends,
prompting them to repeat the tales or perform the impersonations he found so amusing.

Despite boasting only moderate athletic ability, Dan loved coaching his kids’ sports teams and had a keen eye for drafting and shaping talent, which led to a number of successes, including as the head coach of what he coined the “Pirate Organization” – a Newton Center Little League Champion. He was also the inventor of innumerable playful and silly games that he shared widely with his kids and their friends, and for which he would provide his lighthearted running commentary.

Many of Dan’s friends continued to visit him in his final years, even after Parkinson’s disease had stripped him of his ability to connect through conversation and his unique way of finding the humor in virtually any situation.

Dan is survived by his wife Suzanne; his son Adam and his wife Viviane; his daughter Rebecca and her husband Alex; his son David and his wife Katie; and his grandchildren Ayla, Levi, Eliza, Pauline, Pele, Nori, Aiko, and Lucia.
A Celebration of Life will be held this Spring.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Political Asylum Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project or VNA Palliative and Hospice Care.