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Michael Casey Obituary
He moved to California to work on the ornamental exterior of the Museum of Man in San Diego. He was later hired as the Artist in Residence for the California State Capitol Restoration Project. His work there includes Minerva in the Senate Chambers, the parget ceilings in the historical offices and much of the ornamentation throughout the building. Through Michael H. Casey Designs of San Francisco he left his mark on hundreds of buildings in the Bay Area. Notably, St. Mathew and St Mark in Grace Cathedral, ACT Theater, The Adam Grant Building, The Emporium Dome at the Westfield Mall, and the Open Mouth at 665 Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco, The Rotunda in Oakland, St Michael at Immaculate Heart in Belmont, Chimney Rock and Opus One Wineries in Napa, The Fruit Babes of Nugget Markets, The Faux Bois Benches for Piedmont City Hall, Fox Theater and 865 The Alameda in San Jose, South Hall and the El Granada Building in Berkeley and the San Mateo County Courthouse.
Beyond his artistic endeavors Michael enjoyed skiing and sailing, but most importantly traveling the world with his wife who challenged him with unusual and exciting adventures wherever they were. He was a great cook and loved a vodka or two. He could often be found teaching the younger members of the family bad words and ridiculous songs. He will be best remembered for his wicked sense of humor, his continual quest for knowledge and the light and enjoyment he brought to everyone who ever met him.
There will be a celebration of his life at his favorite watering hole Molloy's Tavern of Colma
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Casey
Sponsored by Bruce McCashin L'65.
Francis Garcia
July 13, 2019
In 1996, we had just bought a one bedroom 55-plus co-op unit at Piedmont Court, which was built in 1912 in Santa Cruz as a hotel. There was lovely Moorish inspired plasterwork throughout the lobby and on the exterior. We wanted a sympathetic ceiling molding for the library/bedroom and brought photos to Mr. Casey. He created a handsome molding for us. He really liked the photos we brought him of the lobby, explaining that he could make a molding for a section of the lobby ceiling molding that had been removed long ago. I wish we could have had that molding made by him. He was so interested in decorative plaster. His atelier had a wonderful collection on antique moldings.
Gary Parks
July 12, 2019
Just Googled Michael and Cindy Casey Design, because I and a colleague are going to be doing decorative work for the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum soon, and I wanted to get a quote for making a mold and producing replica sculpted cornice moldings for the theatre there, cast from a piece I salvaged from the Market St. Cinema (former Grauman's Imperial Theatre) in San Francisco. Very, very sad to hear of Michael's passing. I met Michael and Cindy in the late 1990s, when we were involved together spearheading a children's sandcastle contest in San Francisco--part of a program to teach new generations about architecture and design. After they heard I was involved in restoration projects for historic movie theatres, Michael and Cindy invited me to tour their workshop and warehouse. I will never forget it. It was as if Modernism had never occurred. Fanciful, and historically accurate cast ornament everywhere--paradise. I remember Cindy telling me how she had figured the replications of the ceiling coffers of the Geary (ACT) Theatre using a pocket calculator. Such a down-to-earth, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and warm couple. If there is indeed Heaven, let it be in need of sculptors. It has another fine one now.
Bruce Wirgler
March 27, 2018
Cindy-
Just heard of Michael's passing 4 years too late.
When I met Michael my family and I were at a very low point in our lives - we had lost our home in Burlingame to a terrible fire. The house had been built in 1904, with high ceilings and curved walls that went into ornate plaster work. Our insurance monies were going to only go so far, and after taking a day off to walk the street where all of the plaster workers had businesses, I had come to the conclusion that we were not going to be able to restore our home to the original look that it had.
Michael's place was my last stop, and he and I really hit it off. We were standing in his warehouse, and he said, "Tell you what Bruce if I have made what you need before, and have the mold I will do it for you for $$/linear foot, which was about 10% of the cost of the other quotes that I received.
He was really a great guy - besides the initial visit I took my wife back to meet and talk with him - there was a round plaster design in the bathroom at Michael's place, and when my wife saw it she asked Michael if it could be made in an oval design for the center of our living room ceiling, and of course he replied "NO problem"
He will always be a part of our lives - we think of him every time we go into our livingroom or diningroom-someone who was very special to us when we were going through a very difficult time in our lives.
Bruce (and Diane) Wirgler
Burlingame, CA
Linda Strohmeier
April 26, 2015
Cindy, I am so sorry to hear of Michael's passing. I just got this news and am in total shock to know that he is no longer around. I was wondering why I was no longer receiving his Christmas letter. It saddens me deeply because I really enjoyed and loved the fun relationship we had at Western Art Stone. I still have a little statue that he sculpted in my honor and work boots that he sculpted. I will always remember the good times we had at work and am sorry we never got together for lunch after I retired. My thoughts are with you and we would love to have you drop in any time that you are on your way to Sacramento. Linda Strohmeier 4/26/2015
Francis Garcia
December 2, 2014
I met Mr. Casey when we were looking for a ceiling molding for our 1912 co op in Santa Cruz. When we showed him photos of the beautiful moldings made by Italian craftsmen in the lobby of our building, Piedmont Court, you could see his enthusiasm. I was just looking him up because we need to replace exterior quatrefoils. I am so sorry to know he has passed on.
Joey(Frederic Bruns-Bruns Lighting) Ibarra-Solorio
September 27, 2014
Mr Casey was a true Gentleman w/ a heart of gold.My memories of his kindness in business transcends knowing he no longer is w/ us. His amazing work, alongside the warnth he left behind in our hearts will forever keep him w/ us.
May 30, 2014
I am so saddened to learn of Michaels passing. I worked with him in Sacramento, on the Rotunda and the Nieman Marcus projects. He was so free with his knowledge and I am deeply grateful for his help on my own projects. I will miss you dear friend.
March 3, 2013
Cindy,
A wonderful tribute to a wonderful guy. Missing him already.
Ted Jones
February 25, 2013
A great obit for a great guy. Glad I finally thought to look for it. Unfortunately, it won't be nearly as much fun at Molloy's without him.
Cricket Berube-Moritis
February 25, 2013
Oh how I will miss him. Always compassionate and the full of life.
Andrea Patterson
February 24, 2013
Cindy, what a wonderful person Michael was. You two truly were soulmates. I have never know two people still so in love after so many years.
I am really lucky too, I got to know Michael both as a young boy and the fine man he became. No words for how much I will miss him.
Mona Salinas
February 21, 2013
Cindy,
A beautiful tribute. He will live on through his art and our fond memories. A beautiful soul who knew how to live and who to share it with.
Carol A. Mead
February 21, 2013
I will always treasure the lovely dinner and visit with you both in your lovely home. I am deeply saddened by your loss. Please take care of yourself Cindy.
Sincerely, Carol
Marcy Swain
February 21, 2013
Dear Cindy, this wonderful tribute to Michael paints a lovingly vivid picture. I was especially touched to learn that he is responsible for Matthew and Mark at Grace Cathedral. As a docent there, I (and others) always give credit to the sense of humor of the sculptor, who depicts Matthew the tax collector, looking over his shoulder with a look of surprise, as if to say, "Who--Me?" Michael's work, like that of all great artists lives on. Blessings and peace be with you, Cindy.
Susan Waldron
February 20, 2013
Cindy, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Mike Kleinmann
February 19, 2013
Irreverent, brilliant, funny. I will miss him.
Irene Bates
February 19, 2013
Cindy, I am so sorry for your loss. Michael was a very special one-of-a kind fellow and one of my most favorite people in the whole world. Even though his body is gone, I know his love for you and his spirit will always be there for you. When I told his friends here of his passing, everyone was sad. Then you will be pleased to know, we all started telling our Michael stories and we were all happy that he had been in our lives. Irene
Russ Mark
February 18, 2013
Miss you, Michael !
Hugs to Cindy.
Diane Frost
February 18, 2013
I am so thankful he was part of our family - what a unique and wonderful man! Blessings Cindy.
February 18, 2013
Cindy- reading this makes me miss him enormously. -Jai
February 17, 2013
Dear Cindy, I am sorry for your loss. I loved Michael. You must miss him terribly. What a talented man. You were so perfect together. Please let me know if there is anything you need. Please come visit me when you fell up to taking some time for yourself. You are always welcome here. Love Debby
Dennis King
February 17, 2013
Dear Cindy,
A very talented man who will be truly missed by all who knew him. Like a brother to me, and losing him feels the same. You had a long life together, and may the memories you shared light your way forward, Love
Dennis and Debra
Debbie Karel
February 16, 2013
What a lovely obituary, Cindy. Such an amazing, talented, larger than life, funnier than hell, warm, special person he was; so hard to believe he's not still here. So glad you found each other - you were perfect together! My heart goes out to you. I am so sad, and so sorry.
February 16, 2013
Dear Cindy,
What a wonderful man! The world lost some thunder!
Our hearts are with you.
Gloria and Arty
Valerie M
February 16, 2013
Our world has lost a genius, and a wonderful guy. Love and hugs to Cindy and to everyone..
B McC
February 14, 2013
Principessa-Thanks for sharing Michael with all of us.
Friends forever !
BMcC
February 14, 2013
Dearest Cindy,
Absolutely shocked to hear of Michael's passing. A wonderful, funny, incredibly talented man who I've thought of a zillion times... I am so sad. My very deepest condolences.
Gioioa
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