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Message on the passing of Jason Michael Cassels

The following message was sent by Vice President for Student Affairs Ginger Ambler to the campus community on Feb. 26, 2013 - Ed.

Dear William & Mary Community,

With a heavy heart, I write to let you know of the death of one of our students, Jason Michael Cassels.   Late yesterday I received confirmation that Jason was involved in a tragic automobile crash in the early morning hours of Saturday, February 23 in Chesapeake, Virginia.  He died shortly thereafter. 

A 2006 graduate from Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake, Jason majored in marketing at William & Mary and received his BBA from the College in 2011.  He was currently enrolled in a series of pre-med courses at W&M with the goal of applying to medical school in the near future.  Jason was an avid athlete and enjoyed many sports including surfing, snowboarding, and especially ice hockey.  As an undergraduate, he served as president of William & Mary’s Club Ice Hockey team.  Described by his friends as “a truly stand-up guy,” Jason touched many lives and he will be deeply missed by his friends and family.

Jason is survived by his parents, Robert and Jane Cassels, as well as his sister Rachel A. Brown and her husband Adam; his sister Jessica L. Trauger and her husband Derek; his two nephews, Landon and Ethan; his maternal grandparents Frank and Rosemarie Artusa; and his paternal grandparents William and Patricia Cassels.

A memorial service celebrating Jason's life will be held in the Chesapeake Chapel of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., 1416 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, Virginia, Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 7:00 PM. The family will receive friends following the service until 9:00 PM. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Navy Seal Foundation in Jason's honor, www.navysealfoundation.org/jasoncassels. Online condolences may be sent to the family at hdoliver.com.

I know you join me in extending deepest sympathies to Jason’s family and friends.  His death is a terrible loss to our William & Mary family.

Sincerely,

Ginger Ambler