Concord Casimir, Northeast Ohio’s weather-predicting cat, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 with the calm and love he lived his whole life.

The day in 2013 when Niedzialek found Concord Casimir outside of Historic St. Casimir Church.It was unexpected and that is what makes it so difficult, as he just slowed down his eating and I was not prepared for the news from the vet that all his organs were failing.

Born and rescued at Historic Polish St. Casimir Church in 2013, he became famous by predicting the weather on Groundhog Day each Groundhog Day on Feb. 2. He predicted what type of spring weather Cleveland would see by how he ate his pierogis.

Casimir never missed a forecast and as the late sportscaster Jim Donovan once said, "He is undefeated."

While it is a very difficult day, I give thanks to the Lord for being able to borrow him for 13 years. I gave him back on July 22. I learned years ago that we borrow our animals from God, and he trusts we will take care of them. I know it is tough to give them back.

So many people have acknowledged Casimir’s forecasts and have shared how they loved to hear his stories. He made people happy and I hope we can do something special on Feb. 2 to remember him. Maybe we hold a special day for pierogis!

One friend said that, even though our opinions are so divided in this country, everyone loved Casimir the Cat—even though they may not have liked his forecasts!

He brought people together.

I have so many people to thank, and it is hard to think right now, but I want to give a special thanks to:

Marian McMahon of the Lake County Tribune, FreshWater Cleveland, Ed “Flash” Ferenc, Dan Hanson of ClevelandPeople.com, the local news stations, Cuyahoga and Lake Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), the late Dick Goddard, Cleveland Magazine, and Mrs. T's Pierogies for spreading his news. Sorry for the many others I have missed.

Concord Casimir would predict the spring weather on Groundhog Day each February 2.I will try to do something special next Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2027, to honor our furry friend.

People have asked me about getting another cat, but I told them it does not work that way. In August 2013, I was resting across the street from St. Casimir Church in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood when I spotted the little furry creature across the street, sitting right in front of the church at the same exact spot where people prayed for two-and-a-half years in hopes of a miracle that would reopen the church.

I did not know what it was, as the kitten was so small. I thought maybe it was a baby squirrel. Anyway, the critter ran across the street and sat right next to me and looked up at me.

So what could I do? I took him home and the rest is history. It was like St. Francis himself told that little critter, "Go across the street to that man standing there. He will save you."

The rest is history. In summary, if the Good Lord sends me another cat that eats pierogis and predicts the weather, so be it. But that would be a tall task.

I will not dwell on him leaving us but only say "Oh how he lived, Oh how he lived."