Steve Cassidy is an 85-year-old self-taught diver of white ethnicity. He began his career as a lifeguard at Horseneck Beach in 1955, where he was involved in several rescue operations. Cassidy's interest in diving began around this time, and he soon transitioned from lifeguarding to diving. He is a self-taught diver who learned the ropes of the profession through hands-on experience and by learning from others in the field. Cassidy partnered with Robert Douglas Ripley, a navy diver, and together they started a diving business. Cassidy bought out Ripley in 1967 and continued to learn from other experienced divers like George, a navy deep diver, and Clarey Edwards, another navy diver. Despite the inherent dangers of his profession, Cassidy has managed to survive and thrive, attributing his success to his eagerness to learn and his cautious approach to diving.

Scope and Content Note
This interview with Steve Cassidy conducted by Mike Petillo on September 24, 2011, provides a detailed account of Cassidy's life and career as a diver. The interview took place at the Fairfield Inn during the Working Waterfront Festival. Cassidy shares his experiences starting as a lifeguard at Horseneck Beach in 1955, where he was involved in rescue operations. He discusses his transition from lifeguarding to diving, a profession he taught himself. Cassidy shares his experiences partnering with Robert Douglas Ripley, a navy diver, to start a diving business, and how he eventually bought out Ripley in 1967. He also talks about learning from other experienced divers like George, a navy deep diver, and Clarey Edwards. Cassidy discusses the dangers of his profession and how he managed to avoid serious incidents. The interview also includes Cassidy's reflections on the social and cultural aspects of his profession, the business and economics of diving, and his interactions with the fishing community. The interview is accompanied by historical documents, photographs, and articles brought by Cassidy.