Cycling world mourns David Cassidy
Irish cycling is in mourning after the sad passing of David Cassidy, racing cyclist and bike shop owner. The following tribute appeared on cycling website, stickybottle.com
David, a 54-year-old father of two, was a member of the well known Cassidy cycling family from Clonee.
His brother Philip is a double Rás winner and Olympian. David’s nephew, Mark Cassidy, is a former member of the An Post-Sean Kelly pro team.
News of David’s passing has been greeted with shock and sadness across the cycling community.
He had raced in the 1980s, riding the Rás several times and also competing successfully in the US where he lived for a period.
David then came back to road racing again for a number of seasons in more recent years. Riding on the Stevens Cyclelogical team in 2011 David rode the Gorey Three Day and won the final yellow jersey.
In was a win, taken in his veteran years, which served as a reminder of his talent as a bike rider.
He made the winning six-man breakaway on the opening stage, won by Michael Barry (Barnardos).
David then took yellow in the TT the following morning and held it for the next two stages.
During that same 2011 season David also rode and finished the Rás Tailteann, again with a Stevens Cyclelogical team.
His team mates on that particular race around Ireland included Adrian Headerman, Patrick Fitzpatrick and William McCabe.
While he had a lifelong association with and involvement in cycling many cyclists from the road racing scene will perhaps remember him best for his Gorey win as it is most recent.
David also owned and ran the Cyclelogical bike shop on Dublin’s Bachelor’s Walk in the heart of the city.
His brother Philip has been synonymous with the Cycleways shop on Parnell Square, also in Dublin’s north inner city.
Philip’s partner in the shop when it began, Brian Connaughton, was instrumental in mentoring the Cassidy brothers during their early racing days.
The funeral service takes place at 2.30pm on Thursday in Glasnevin Crematorium, Dublin.
Late of Charleville Road, Phibsboro, Dublin 7, he is survived by his partner, Elaine, daughter Molly, son Ben, mother Yvette, father Paddy, brothers and sister, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and neighbours.
The funeral service takes place at 2.30pm today (Thursday) in Glasnevin Crematorium, Dublin.
Enquiries to Massey Bros., Cabra, 01 838 9774.