The founding editor of Overlook Views, Warren Cassell, passed away this past winter. Everyone who met Warren has a memorable story to share; we asked neighbors to send us one of their favorite Warren stories and received more than we could print. Please visit www.OverlookNeighborhood.org to read more. If you’d like to contribute, please email us at Views@ OverlookNeighborhood.org
Warren Cassell
by Lauren Holden Kilbane
This past weekend at the Interstate Farmers Market pancake breakfast, I swore I caught him out of the corner of my eye. For community-building events and efforts, Overlook neighbors could always count on Warren Cassell being there.
My 92 year old grandmother in Connecticut was the one to tell me Warren died. Back East on business, I stopped in to spend a night with her. Over breakfast the next morning, she mentioned his passing and shared the obituary which was featured prominently in the Greenwich paper.
Not wanting to upset her, I maintained my composure until leaving later that morning. Though she knew of our small world connection, she was unaware of the deep respect and caring I had for Warren.
Like many people in the neighborhood, I first came to know him visually: an eccentric looking man of maturity with wild white hair and beard who strolled the neighborhood clad head to toe in a colorful hand-knit suit (created with artistry and love by his wife, Melisa).
He was hard to miss.
At Thanksgiving one year, my uncle (a publisher) mentioned that one of his favorite booksellers had relocated to Portland. My grandparents knew him, too. A New York native, Warren was well-known for the quality and community of his bookstore: Just Books. My grandparents came to know him through his well-curated author events.
In fact, my grandfather often drove Warren crazy, parking in the Just Books spot days he was running other errands. Infuriated, Warren would call my uncle to complain. But he was equally quick to pick up the phone when he realized my grandparents had missed a few author events, wanting to make sure they were ok. My grandfather had been diagnosed with Cancer.
This coincidence took my connection and respect for Warren, a little deeper. Given the strength of his voice in the neighborhood, it surprised me that he hadn’t been here forever. As a member of the Overlook Board, Warren was known for strong opinions and fiery debate. As the passionate and prolific Editor of Overlook Views (along with his wife and poet-in-residence, Melisa) he made sure to get neighborhood word on the street and encouraged others to join him.
Of his many contributions to the newsletter though, it was the photo contest that brought his love and caring for the neighborhood to light: the bluff view, bright red phone booths, ice cream socials, thoughtful garden details, architectural and wildlife…he noticed and appreciated it all and wanted to make sure that others did, too.
I suspect it may be awhile before many of us stop spotting Warren out of the corner of our eye.
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A Leader, Visionary, and Caring Person
by Kent Hoddick
I regret the passing of Warren Cassell, and his widowed wife Melisa moving to Southern California. They lived on the Bluff overlooking
the river and rail yard and had a wonderful great room on the second floor of their house. This was an oasis where all necessaries were found along with space to study, read, create stories, write history, listen to the birds, be a poet, and knit. Melisa had many original poems published in our newsletter while Warren was the editor.
I was lucky enough to visit his house a few times and have a cup of coffee with him and see photos on the walls of him with Presidents, a Secretary of State, and other important people. These photos were taken when he was a bookstore owner back East who had wonderful author parties and book signings.
Warren and his wife worked hard trying to form a group of Overlook residents that would allow older persons
to “Age In Place”. They spent a year of their time but we could never quite get it going.
Warren was also involved with beginning the Interstate Farmers Market the first two years. He was a faithful shopper each week and always went home with some fresh produce.
Back several years ago when we had over 12 inches of snow just after Christmas, my family did not move out of the house for over a week. At the next meeting when I saw Warren I asked him how they made out during the snow? He replied “We had New Seasons delivered to the house two times.” Wow that never even crossed my mind to do that.
Both of you will be missed in the neighborhood.
Kent asked that we print one of Melisa’s poems, and selected the following.
AT THE MEETING
By Melisa Cassell
A gathering of people
In a large square room
with all the chairs facing in the
same direction
That, a portent of verbal gloom
Dialogue devoid of flexion.
It should have been a circle
So we could see each other across
the space
And watch the currents of
debate
swirling and surging in the center.
We should have joined hands,
as though to bless a feast of discourse,
with communal Grace.
A new year announces its approach.
Can we denounce the surfeit
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A True Neighbor
by Julie Rawls
Overlook has lost a true neighbor in the passing of Warren Cassell. The first time I met Warren it had snowed and most of the neighborhood was at Overlook Park having fun. Up walked this very tall man in what can only be described as technicolored knit pants – a rainbow of knitted bands running up his legs – no doubt knit by his wife, textile artist Melisa! Warren definitely stood out against the white snow – but he stood out in other ways as well. Warren was a true neighbor and dedicated to doing what he could – which was being the editor of our first newsletter. I used to chat with him more often when my kids and I were volunteers distributing the newsletter. Warren was a man of strong convictions and opinions and he was not afraid to share them in the newsletter. I am very pleased I got to know him, if only to wave a neighborly hello as he and Melisa went by on their walks.
Warren was one of a kind and he will greatly missed. I hope our neighborhood can remember Warren in a fitting way – perhaps with a special tree planting during the next Friends of Trees event.