CASSIDY, David Ralph - 75, of Yarmouth, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on December 17, 2012. Born in Halifax on September 14, 1937, he was a son of Ralph Henry Cassidy and Viola (Franks) Cassidy. He was a social worker; husband of Martha (McHale); father of Philip, Campbell River, B.C.; Pegeen “Peg” Cassidy (Jonathan Kay), Toronto, Ont.; Rebecca “Becky” (James) Rose, Yarmouth; loving grandfather of Braedon, Seamus and Sophia Rose; Alexandra Kay; Mason and Nathaniel Cassidy. David was a proud Acadia University alumnus with a B.A. in Psychology, and graduated from Waterloo Lutheran (now Wilfrid Laurier) University with a Master’s in Social Work in 1968. His interest in helping others led to work with Ontario’s Family and Children’s Services and then to work with the Addiction Research Foundation in London, Ontario. He returned to the Maritimes with his family in 1970, when he became the first Director of the P.E.I. Addiction Research Foundation. While living in Meadowbank, PEI, he founded Cass Craft of PEI, a woodworking company that still produces many of his original designs. He loved the Island and said his spirit rested there. Later, he was instrumental in establishing addiction services for the Nova Scotia Commission on Drug Dependency in Sydney and Yarmouth, NS. David’s career brought him and his family to Yarmouth in 1978, where he was the Commission’s Regional Coordinator. In 1988, he chose to return to his first calling as Clinical Social Worker with the Yarmouth Regional Hospital Mental Health Clinic. After he grudgingly retired in 2002, he continued to help people through his private practice. He was active with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Yarmouth, Digby and Shelburne branch. David was also a strong advocate of Recovery International, an organization that helps people to help themselves and others on the road to physical and emotional health. Over his lifetime, he was a musician and played the stand-up bass; a poet; an artist; a woodworker and carpenter; and chief advisor on all things. He was a baseball and hockey fan, although he’d pretty much given up on the Toronto Maple Leafs. He enjoyed gardening, especially his prize-winning dahlias and his tulips. He appreciated a good pun but relished a bad one just as much. David loved history and was an avid researcher on the War of 1812. He supported Martha in all her endeavours. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by sister, Nancy Ellen Cassidy (1941 – 1972); as well as foster daughter, Kathleen (Rodd) Pastuch (1956 – 1991). Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yarmouth. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 29 at 2 p.m. from Sweeny’s Funeral Home Chapel with Father Pat O’Meara officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the memorial service, from 1-2 p.m. Interment will follow in Chebogue Cemetery. Family flowers only, please. Donations in David’s memory may be made to the Yarmouth Food Bank and Yarmouth Fuel Bank. On-line condolences may be sent to: sweenysfh@eastlink.ca or you may sign the guestbook on-line at: www.sweenysfuneralhome.net