A special announcement from Cass’s friend, author Mitch Albom:
I am so sorry to have to tell you that our dear friend and inspiration Anthony “Cass” Castelow died last night (February 22, 2015) from heart issues. As you may have read in my accounts of him in the book “Have A Little Faith” (or the TV movie in which he played himself) Cass was a one-of-a-kind man who proved you never give up on anybody. His difficult early life of drugs and prison was turned around by the kindness of Pastor Henry Covington and the I Am My Brothers Keeper Church. Henry offered Cass a bed in his home, even when he knew Cass was stealing from him. Ashamed and humbled by such kindness, Cass turned his life around, got clean, and has been an inspiration ever since–and that was nearly 20 years ago. Cass never stopped helping the homeless, referring to them as “us,” never forgetting what he himself had to endure when he was on the streets. He ran the homeless program at I Am My Brothers Keeper for years, made sure everyone was taken care of, and basked in the glory of helping the least of us. He was kind and kind-hearted and gentle and wise beyond his years or education.
And he was the greatest and most loyal friend you could ever ask for.
Recent months saw him battle health issues with the same strength, humor and focus on others that marked his life. His death came very suddenly. He leaves behind a family, a wife and children, and they will need our help – both with immediate funeral needs and future care and educational ones. If you would like to help, a memorial fund has been set up for Cass’ family through Crowdrise. All donations will go directly to Cass’ family.
May God bless and keep Cass, who we pray is smiling and arm in arm with his Lord and with his dear friend Henry Covington.
(Cass and his daughter Miracle in 2009 with Mitch Albom)
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