'Boston for my brother'

BELLEVUE — Each day for several months now, Cherie McCleese fondly recalls many memories involving her brother, Dan "J.R." Cassel Jr. "We went to Florida every Christmas. We would hang out with our grandparents. We spent a bunch of time in Marblehead at a house we had there," said McCleese, who's originally from Sandusky but resides in Bellevue today. "We were always together. That is why this has been so difficult." McCleese referenced Cassel's death, a suicide, on April 18, 2020. He was 41. Among Cassel's survivors include his three children: Bryce, Hunter and Matthew. Dan "J.R." Cassel Jr., 41, died in 2020. He left behind three sons. He's pictured here with Hunter and Matthew. His other son, not pictured, is Bryce. Friends and family described Cassel, a 1996 St. Mary Central Catholic graduate, as an avid outdoorsman who reveled in going on camping adventures with his sons. Throughout his life, Cassel, a decorated U.S. Marine, suffered from mental health issues, McCleese said. "It's been very hard on our entire family and especially me. You never think something like this would happen to your loved ones, but it did," said McCleese, noting she has no other siblings. "This is really the first time I've talked about it," McCleese added. "And now, I want everyone to know what I'm doing." To help honor his legacy, McCleese, a 1995 St. Mary Central Catholic graduate, qualified for the Boston Marathon, which occurs on Monday — two years to the day when Cassel died. Considered one of the world's most prestigious races, this New England tradition dates back to 1897, making it Earth's oldest annual marathon. It's also a first for McCleese, who's among 30,000 or so runners expected to participate in this year's contest. Roughly, about 4% of people who try out for the Boston Marathon can post a time fast enough for entry. This marathon marks her eighth overall. "I'm really looking forward to it," said McCleese, who coaches cross country for St. Mary's and works as a stylist for Capelli & Co. Salon in Sandusky. She credits Ron Leech, SMCC head cross country coach, as her guide and main inspiration for competing. "I am going to carry some of his ashes with me," said McCleese, referencing the recognition she's planning for her brother while running in Boston. "I haven't decided yet what I will put them in. But I know he'll be at the finish line, rooting me on with a beer." Amid dealing with this grief, McCleese has also overcome several other struggles occurring since then. "After his death, I had a dissolution of marriage, and then I had a stroke," McCleese said. "Doctors found a hole in my heart, a blood clot grew, and I had to have heart surgery a year ago." So this race represents a personal pinnacle for McCleese as tragedy and triumph run parallel. "It's just a huge life mountain that I am crossing," McCleese said. "I was at the bottom, and now I am running up back to the top, which is really helping me deal with everything going on. I'm doing Boston for my brother and myself." Two friends, supporters and running mates, Bellevue resident Jason Lehrer and Perkins Township resident Jonathan Smith, are traveling with McCleese to also participate in the Boston Marathon. Smith ran in last year's Boston Marathon. And Lehrer, who's in a relationship with McCleese, is taking part in his third. Here's what they had to say: • Lehrer: I'm extremely proud of what she's been through. She has persevered through so much to get to this day, and I am super excited to be there and see her experience it all. • Smith: Cherie has fought through a lot of challenges in the last couple of years. We are all really happy for her that she gets to run the Boston Marathon as a result of her hard work and as a tribute to her brother. McCleese urges anyone who might know someone that's suicidal to reach out, make contact and, most importantly, be present for them. "It's important to always be there for your loved ones and look out for the warning signs," McCleese said. Reach out If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This line provides free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you and your loved ones and best practices for professionals.