James Joseph Casey

James Casey Obituary

James Joseph (Jim) Casey, 81, formerly of West Hartford, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 1st, 2007 @ The Beatitudes Campus in Phoenix, AZ, where he had been a resident of for the past year and a half. James was born in Hartford, CT, May 18th, 1925 to his parents, the late James Thomas Casey and the late, Margaret (Shea) Casey. He grew up in West Hartford, CT and served his country during WWII in the U.S. Navy from March, 1943 through to December, 1945. During his time in the service he met his beloved wife, Ionznette (Prall) Casey, also known as "Eileen". They were wed on March 25th, 1944 by Father James Brogan in Seattle, Washington. The young couple settled in West Hartford, CT where they raised their 6 children. Jim was a retiree of the Connecticut Transit Company where he served the public for 43 years, July 1947 through April 1990. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Ionznette (Prall) Casey, of Phoenix, AZ,, his oldest son and companion, James Michael Casey of Phoenix, AZ, his daughter Karen Casey Rice, and her life partner, Laura Perlotta, of Bloomfield, CT, his son John P. Casey, and his wife, Karen (Vasile) Casey of Waterford, CT, his daughter Mary C. Casey, and her life partner, Ron Seydlitz of Big Lake, MN, his daughter, Annette Casey (Jacobs) Illa, and her husband, Jims' care giver Robert ("Bob") Illa, of Phoenix, AZ, and his daughter Denise M. Martino, and her husband, Michael A. Martino Jr., of Northford, CT. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret (Peggy) Casey Skehan,and her husband, Edward, of Newington,CT, his sister Irene Casey LoPata, and her husband Stanley, of East Hartford, CT, and his brother, Bernard J. Casey, and his wife Barbara (Smith) of East Hartford, CT. He is predeceased by his sister Mary and brother, Robert (Bobby) Casey. Jim & Eileen were blessed with 14 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. He loved and cared about all his nephews and nieces, as well as their children. He had many close friends. His passion was his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and his family. Jim enjoyed people and was always ready with a smile, a joke, a song, a whistled tune, or a word of encouragement. A memorial service will take place in CT @ Calvary Church, 1855 Albany Ave., West Hartford, CT on Saturday, March 10th @ 12:00pm. Pastor, Dr. Carl Abrahamsen Jr., will be officiating the service. Private interment service with full military honors will take place on Monday, March 12th @ the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, in Phoenix, AZ. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at The Beatitudes Campus on 1610 W. Glendale Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, in the chapel, on Monday, March 12th @ 2:00pm., Chaplain Beverly Devine will be officiating, all are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you would send your gift to Calvary Church, 1855 Albany Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117, (860-236-1245) in honor of The Jim Casey Memorial Fund, set up to support Missionary Pat Butler.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Arizona Republic on Mar. 11, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for James Casey

6 Entries

Elise (Casey) Miller

March 11, 2007

Dear Uncle Jim,
I will always remember you fondly and the time our families spent together when I was a kid. You will be missed by all who knew you.
All my love,
your niece,

March 9, 2007

Karen,
Sorry to read about the passing of your father.
Linda DiNapoli

Amy Quintana

March 8, 2007

Papa,
I will remember so many things. How you always sang, "When Irish Eyes are Smilimg." How you use to tell me I am my mothers breath. How your face would light up when I came to visit you with my girls. How I brought you your root beer soda and goodies when I visited you. I am blessed that my daughters had the oppurtunity to meet a great man. I miss you.
I love you more than you could know.

Neices & Nephews

March 8, 2007

Big Jim, ("our" Uncle Jimmy)
Senior Driver - Badge #1 at the Connecticut Transit Company (43 years). He knew everybody on his city route and everybody knew him. We'll miss ya. Rest in peace and enjoy the new route.

Sandy Oconnell

March 8, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Casey Family.

The O'Connell Family

Annette Illa

March 8, 2007

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2007