Ronald H Casey

Ronald H. Casey, 85, of Sunnyside Gardens, Queens, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a life rich in quiet generosity, thoughtful service, and steady love.

Born in Long Island on in 1939, to parents Madeline and Herald Casey. Ron was an only child who would grow to become a deeply rooted presence in both his family and his community. A gifted athlete at Smithtown High School, he played soccer, football, and basketball before going on to attend the Rhode Island School of Design and Pratt University where his lifelong appreciation for art and design took deeper root.

Before college, Ron served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, a duty he carried with quiet pride. Professionally, he spent his career as a systems analyst, working at institutions including Otis Elevator, Sloan Kettering, and Phillip Morris.

But Ron's truest legacy was in the life he built in Sunnyside Gardens. For decades, he served on Community Board 2, a board member of Elmhurst Hospital, and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. A passionate gardener, he founded the Botanical Society of Sunnyside Gardens and earned numerous awards for the plants and vegetables he lovingly cultivated. He volunteered countless hours at Sunnyside Park-one of New York City's only private parks-and with the veterans shelter at Borden Avenue. Gardening was more than a hobby for Ron-it was a quiet act of devotion to beauty, community, and renewal. At one point, he was even considered for a PBS special on urban gardening.

Ron was also a talented painter and designer, a man whose creativity flowed into every corner of his life. A longtime attendee of Sunnyside Reformed Church on the corner of Skillman Avenue and 48th Street, he found strength and rhythm in faith, even if he seldom spoke it aloud.

He was a devoted husband to Irene Casey and a father who showed his love not through words, but through tireless effort-driving to baseball and basketball games, making holidays memorable, and trying always to do right by his family. He is survived by his wife - Irene Casey- three sons-Greg Casey, Glen Casey, and Gary Casey-and three grandsons-Shane, Patrick, and Kyle Casey (Glen Casey).

Though introverted and deeply private, Ron loved good company, a strong glass of Cognac, a rich cigar, and a great conversation. His idea of the perfect vacation was a snowy Vermont evening near a fireplace listening to classical music after a wonderful meal. If he could do it all over again, he might have chased a dream in meteorology, captivated as he was by the weather and the skies.

Ron Casey wasn't one to say "I love you" out loud- but he said it in every quiet act, every thoughtful gesture, every hour spent volunteering, and every attempt to be a better man, a better father, and a better neighbor. He was a giant in the eyes of his children and grandchildren.

He tried to leave his community better than the way he found it. And in doing so, he succeeded in becoming someone worthy of respect, remembrance, and love.

Calling hours will be held at Kennedy-Roth Funeral Home, 41-45 58th Street, Woodside, New York 11377 on May 10, 2025 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon - and in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Ron's name to City Harvest Food Rescue Center (https://www.cityharvest.org/) or The Salvation Army (https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/), continuing his lifelong legacy of giving back.