September 9, 2009 - For many years it was Jim Coppola's dream to own his own bike shop. An avid road racer with a fearless and powerful sprint, Jim and his wife Tracy sold their security business and opened up the Cyclissimo bike shop in Aurora, Ontario in 2003. Jim had picked the location wisely, as there was not a mid-to high-end road and triathlon focused bike shop anywhere in the area at the time. Also, heading north from the sprawling and congested outer suburbs of Toronto, Aurora was where the cycling started to get really nice, on quiet country roads heading out in any direction, north, east or west.
The shop thrived from the get-go and the Cyclissimo Bike Club was formed. The Club quickly swelled to well over 100 people, and Jim was at his best and most enthusiastic, when he was introducing new people to the sport road cycling and road racing.
Another goal of Jim's was to bring back competitive road racing to the GTA. The roads around Aurora were perfect for this and Jim threw himself into organizing the Cyclissimo Grand Prix Road Race on challenging circuit on the outskirts of town. The inaugural Cyclissimo Grand Prix in August 2006, was a huge success. Many racers commented that it was the best run road race that they had been to in years (even years later - many road racers are still saying this). In turn, Jim and Trace were awarded the Road Race Organizer of the year by the OCA in 2006.
In the fall of 2006, Jim was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer. The following year, Jim and Tracy had to close down Cyclissimo to fully focus on Jim's battle with cancer. I am sad to report that this week that Jim lost his fight with cancer.
His greatest strength and his legacy, was that he brought people together, to work together, and to ride together. Please keep Jim and his family in your thoughts on your next ride.
Details regarding Funeral arrangements for Jim Coppola - the viewings will be at the Marshall Funeral Home in Richmond Hill. It is located at 10366 Yonge Street. You can go online at http://www.marshallfuneralhome.com/ for more information. The viewings will be on Wednesday and Thursday, 2-4 and 7-9 pm.
The funeral will be at Our Lady Queen of the World at 10:30 AM on Friday, Sept. 11. They are located at 10411 Bayview Avenue in Richmond Hill, just south of Elgin Mills Road.
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Photo: pedalmag.com
Tracy and Jim Coppola (centre) celebrate their award, Road Organizer of the Year - Cyclissimo Cycling Club, with friends at the celebration.
Photo: pedalmag.com
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