By Brittany Chain For Daily Mail Australia
13:13 16 Jun 2024, updated 13:13 16 Jun 2024
EXCLUSIVE
A prison guard celebrated his ninth anniversary just days before he suddenly died, sparking an outpouring of grief from friends and family.
Bodybuilder Dave Cassin, a 56-year-old father from western Sydney, died just before he and partner Sharon were due to fly to Bali.
Instead, heartbroken Sharon was left to plan his funeral.
The couple celebrated their anniversary on May 14, with a video dotted with heart emojis posted on social media showing pictures of the couple together.
But just five days later, Sharon shared the news of his death in her next post, adding: ‘I’m lost without you.’
Mr Cassin was a prison guard at Sydney’s Silverwater Correctional Facility and competed in bodybuilding competitions alongside his wife in his spare time.
His cause of death is yet to be revealed by the family.
The ultra-fit couple often shared loved-up, behind-the-scenes photographs from competitions and their strict training regime.
After his death, Sharon said in her Instagram post: ‘My heart is broken. I’ve lost my best friend and my partner for life.’
Mr Cassin has been remembered as ‘an officer who touched everyone he met’.
‘[He was] an imposing figure who was well respected by all. He was more than a serial number; he embodied the type of knockabout that everyone enjoyed being around,’ read one tribute to him posted online.
‘He was loyal to his role as a correctional officer. Beyond the uniform, most importantly, he was devoted to his family.
‘His loyalty extended beyond the prison gates; he was the mate who stood by you, rain or shine, sharing stories over a cold beer.’
Dozens of friends and colleagues shared stories of his mentorship, guidance and kindness, expressing shock over his tragic death.
One of his two daughters described him as ‘the strongest man… with the biggest heart’.
‘There’s nothing I wouldn’t give to have you back here with us,’ she said.
Another friend described him as a ‘bloody legend. Great man, great sense of humour and just a great aussie bloke’.
Friends of Mr Cassin have been encouraged to share photographs and happy memories they have of him over the years ahead.
‘You were so kind, humble and an all round great bloke. Very sad to hear you left this world so early,’ one said.
‘The world is a little darker since you left us,’ another added. ‘The world is a little sadder since you left us. The world is definitely a little more boring since you left us.
‘You brought so much love and laughter to our lives.’
A third wrote: ‘You made my life so much better and richer for being in it you are without a doubt one of the most genuine decent blokes I’ve ever met in all my days.’
Mr Cassin was farewelled in a ceremony on June 3.