CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — Cycling was a big part of his life, and cycling is what contributed to his death.
Two weeks ago, 10 On Your Side told you about a crash in Great Bridge involving an 80-year old man on a recumbent bike. Steven Shils died yesterday at a local hospital.
Shils was well-known as the man on the bike, but little is known about the rest of his life.
At Great Bridge Cyclery, owner Bobby Parker has taken on a new role for Shils, who worked with Parker as a volunteer for 25 years. On the afternoon of Aug. 15, Shils was on a recumbent bike when he was struck at Mount Pleasant and Hillwell Roads.
“And so, by the time I got over there, they had already taken him away,” Parker said. “All the stuff was still there, but they already taken him away.”
While Shils was under medical care, Parker set out to find the next of kin. Parker says Shils was from Philadelphia, he served in Vietnam as a member of the US Navy and later her served as a merchant marine. Two weeks later, Parker hasn’t found a single relative. He had just left the shop about an hour before.
“And as far as I know, nobody else has found anybody either,” Parker said. “And he never really talked about anybody when he was here. So I don’t think there is anybody.”
But Shil’s neighbor on Wickford Drive found people who care.
Jo Davila collected well wishes, and on Saturday she read the heartfelt messages as it appeared the end was near.
“I opened up all the cards and a read everyone’s comments to him and I just held his arm and kept talking to him,” Davila said. “I went ahead and I prayed for him. … He has no family’s none that we know of and I want to at least if he woke up he would see that people were thinking about him.
Shils cycled 12,000 to 18,000 miles per year on the bike, according to Parker, who also said Shils was a registered organ donor, so there’s hope his generosity will help another life.
Police said at this point, no criminal charges will be filed in this case.