James F. "Jim" Casey

James F. Casey, a lifelong resident of Leominster, passed away suddenly on Sunday, May 11, 2025 at UMASS Memorial Medical Center. He was 69 years old.
Jim was born in Leominster, Massachusetts on July 29, 1955. He was a graduate of Leominster High School, class of 1974. After high school, he worked for Rockwell Siding before changing careers in 1990. Jim then worked the next 30 years at the Worcester County House of Corrections, where he retired in 2020.
Jim was loved and respected by anyone that ever met him. He always had a smile on his face and a quick witted, sarcastic one-liner to share. Anyone in his presence, whether it be friends or family, a cashier, a server, or a fellow shopper in the grocery store, always ended up laughing with him. Jim had a way of leaving a memorable impression on everyone he came in contact with.
Family meant everything to "Big Jim". You would never see him out, unless he had his wife, Donna, by his side. He was always proud to share with everyone how much he loved his high school sweetheart. The two had shared their 49th wedding anniversary in February. Jim was happiest when the two of them took long car rides, rarely planned out, and spent the day together wherever they ended up. Most often, the day trips would always include them finding a diner or restaurant from watching The Phantom Gourmet. Yet, Jim was still waiting to find the Luck of the Irish, and the casino slot machines were a favorite outing for him.
Jim loved to sit in his recliner next to his "snack drawer" and read The Boston Herald and New York Post daily. Cooking shows always played in the background so he could make a new meal that would bring the entire family together for dinner. Regardless of what he cooked, everyone always requested and loved his homemade sauce and meatballs. Jim loved spending time watching his grandkids all do what they loved, and he was always proud of each and every one of them. Whether he was cheering at a field hockey game, chorus performance, lacrosse match, gymnastics meet, soccer field, figure skating show, or an art show, each grandchild held a special place in his heart. With the grandkids, he was always up for a Hallmark movie or a heart to heart talk to share his words of wisdom. They were his world. Jim also looked forward to his Saturday night card gatherings with some of his lifelong friends, Tom and Sue & Karen and Kenny.
Jim leaves behind a loving family who will miss him dearly. He is survived by his wife Donna (Antonucci) Casey; his son James Casey Jr., daughter in law Tara Pari, grandchildren Julianna Casey, Arianna Casey, and James Casey III, all of Providence, RI. He also leaves his daughter Lynne (Casey) De Leon, son in law Magdiel De Leon, grandchildren Casey Gould, Makaela Gould, Mariana De Leon, and Caden De Leon, all of Leominster, MA. He also leaves behind two sisters, Kathy Ducharme and her husband Kenny, and Ann Plant and her husband Bill, a brother in law Michael Antonucci and his wife Linda, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his parents William and Elinor Casey, sisters Peggy Melanson and Marie Mead, and his in-laws, Vincent "Chalk" Antonucci and his wife Elaine.
The family would like to thank all of the nurses and doctors who cared for Jim in the Leominster Hospital ICU ward. We also want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the staff at the Holden Rehabilitation Center. Your loving care and support was so comforting to our family during Jim's time with you.
Calling hours will be held on Monday, May 19 from 5-7pm at Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West Street Leominster, MA. A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 20 at 10am at Holy Family Church, 750 Union Street, Leominster, MA with burial to follow in Evergreen Cemetery. A celebration of life will follow at Cristina's Restaurant, 314 Central Street, Leominster, MA.
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