Francis Kasper, of Dowagiac

Published 11:43 am Thursday, January 30, 2020

March 26, 1949 — Jan. 27, 2020

Francis Joseph Kasper III, 70, of Dowagiac, passed away surrounded by family and listening to blues music, on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, at Ascension Borgess Hospital, Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Francis was born on March 26, 1949, in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Reading High School in 1967 and attended Boston College for three-and-a-half years before leaving to follow other pursuits.

Francis was involved in the counterculture movement of the 1960s. He was a member of Students for a Democratic Society, attended Woodstock and toured the country with friends in a yellow school bus.

Francis held many jobs during his lifetime, including rug deliveryman for Abel Rug, cab driver, taxicab dispatcher for Boston Cab, doorman, bouncer and bartender. He owned the Tam O’Shanter — a restaurant and nightclub in Brookline, Massachusetts with live music seven nights a week — for 16 years. He was a school teacher at Lakeshore High School in Stevensville, Michigan for several years, and finally, was a college and career readiness associate for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Department of Education, where he helped adult tribal citizens earn their GEDs.

The Tam was one of the premiere establishments in the Boston music scene in the 1980s and 1990s. It was where a number of influential musicians (and more than a few marriages) got their start. The Tam won several Best of Boston awards. His employees were treated like family. Over the years, he was able to remain in contact with many of them.

It was at the Tam where he met the love of his life, Christine Daugherty. Francis and Christine were married in South Bend on Sept. 18, 1983.

After moving to Michigan in 1996, Francis changed gears in his career. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Michigan University and went into education.

Of Francis’s many pursuits, experiences and accomplishments, he was first and foremost a father to his three children. He bragged about his children to anyone who would listen. He was also a stand in father figure and mentor to countless others. He firmly believed that everyone, regardless of circumstances, was worthwhile and deserving of a chance. He gave of himself as a coach, teacher, and friend and was always available for a talk or a laugh. An eternal optimist, no problem or situation seemed too dire after a talk with Francis. He will be remembered with great love, fondness and affection by the many people he knew over the years.

Francis enjoyed live music, trivia night with his family at The Livery, watching Game Show Network, reading and riding the stationary bike at the gym. He was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan.

Francis is survived by his mother, Edwina Kasper; sisters, Diane Chandler (Steven) and Debbie White (Malcolm); brothers, Stephen Kasper (Stacey), James Kasper (Irene), and John Kasper; his wife, Christine Daugherty; his three children, Casey Kasper-Welles (Todd), Michael Kasper and Corinne Kasper; numerous nieces and nephews; and his two granddaughters, Phoenix and Kaia Welles.

Francis was preceded in death by his father, Francis Joseph Kasper, Jr., and his dog, Rain.

Memorial contributions in Francis’s memory may be made to the Pokagon Band Department of Education, 58620 Sink Road, Dowagiac, MI 49047.

A visitation will be at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. A Rosary service will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by traditional Native American ceremonies. Mass will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 51841 Leach Rd, Dowagiac. Burial will follow. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at clarkch.com.