CASSIDY, MICHAEL CLYNE - It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Clyne Cassidy, formerly from Miramichi NB and most recently from Fundy Royal Manor in Hillsborough NB, on December 15, 2014. He was born in Chatham-Miramichi on September 14, 1919 and he recently celebrated his 95th birthday joyfully with his family and friends. He was a son, a brother, a soldier, a boxer, a husband, a father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather. He lived his life enjoying his family, especially when we would gather and have sing songs with the guitar and harmonica and he would happily sing along and play his spoons. In his younger years, he was an avid gardener and was well liked and well respected throughout his community. He loved to tell stories of his time in the war and his boxing career. He had an amazing sense of humour and always had a twinkle in his blue eyes when he told stories. He served his country in World War II from 1940 – 1945 as a trooper and tank driver, which he affectionately named “Carolyn” after is his niece. “Mike” Clyne Cassidy was a well-known professional boxer in eastern Canada and the United States as well as in Europe when he was in the Canadian army. He was crowned Light Heavy Weight Champion and was inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. After his boxing career he worked for NB Power for the remainder of his career, retiring in 1980. Clyne was very active in his community in his younger years and held positions such as the Past President of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 3. He was founder and president of the former Chatham Youth Foundation, past president of the Chatham Recreation Council and played a major role in the development of the John J. Duffy Memorial Recreation Center and town swimming pool. Clyne was the son of the late Clifford and Rachel (Mauzeroll) Cassidy, one of 12 children. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Theresa (Paulin) and 10 of his siblings, Clare, Veronica, Helen, Alice, Rachel, Arthur, Louis, Murray, David and Leonard. He leaves behind his beloved children Phil (Paula) Cassidy, Bob (Sandra) Cassidy, Deborah Ann Rigley (John Morrison) and Pauline Cassidy, his seven grandchildren Michelle and Nathan Cassidy, Richard Cassidy, Angela Barrett and Scott Rigley, and Michael and Mark Taylor, his five great-grandchildren Riley Taylor, Emma and Campbell Barrett, Gus Cassidy and Brynley Taylor as well as his brother Harold Cassidy of British Columbia.
Clyne is resting at Maher's Funeral Home Miramichi on Thursday, December 18, 2014 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 19, 2014 at 11am from St. Michael's Basilica with Fr John Fraser officiating. As expressions of sympathy donations to the can be made to the Arthritis Society, Alzheimer’s Society or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Maher's Funeral Home Miramichi, NB. Telephone 773-4321 or www.mahersfh.com