Bernard Joseph Casey

Bernard Joseph Casey, 75, of East Hartford, peacefully passed away on Thursday, (April 19, 2007) at home surrounded by his loving family following a courageous and dignified struggle with cancer. Bernard was the husband of his best friend, Barbara Jean Smith Casey, for 52 years. A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many, Bernie embraced the truth of the Gospel and proclaimed his faith in Jesus Christ by the way he lived life every day. Born on March 19, 1932, Bernard was the son of the late James and Margaret Shea Casey. He was raised on Richard Street in West Hartford and graduated from Hall High School in 1950. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Bernard was a Facilities Planner for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, East Hartford for 35 years, retiring in 1992. Besides his beloved wife, he is survived by his five children and twelve grandchildren, Daughter Susan and her husband, Barry Skipp, of Newington, and their children, Barry Jr., Laura, Peter, and Caitlin; son Bernard Joseph Casey, Jr. and his wife, Marcelle, of Wallingford and their sons Gregory and Michael; son James Casey and his wife, Marsha, of Cromwell and their children Joshua, Sarah, and Jacob; son Jerome Casey and his wife, Donna, of Natick, MA and their children Samuel, Simon, and Amelia; and son Kevin Robert Casey of East Hartford. He is also survived by his sister Margaret and her husband Edward Skehan of Newington, his sister Irene and her husband Stanley Lopata of East Hartford, sisters-in-law Eileen Casey, Carolyn Casey, Dolores Butka; brother-in-law, Rev. James Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his sister Mary and his brothers James and Robert. Bernard was an active member of St. Christopher Parish in East Hartford and was a communicant at the weekday Noon mass at Holy Trinity Church in Hartford prior to his illness. Besides his family one of his greatest joys in life, was spending his summers at his cottage at Charlestown Beach, RI. He was a member of the British-American Club of Manchester and the Knights of Columbus, having served as Financial Secretary of the Glastonbury council. He was also a friend of Bill W. for over 20 years. He was a former coach and active in the East Hartford Little League. Bernard is lovingly remembered by his family for his devotion to them every day of his life as a husband and father always giving of himself. He was attentive to his extended family and was always considerate especially of those who were sick or dying, visiting and encouraging them. We are all inspired by his example and grateful to God for the gift of his life. His family is deeply grateful to Dr. Mark Kimmel and the caring staff of the CT Oncology Group at Middlesex Hospital and to St. Francis Hospice Care, especially Mary and Paul. Funeral service will be Monday (April 23rd) at 10 AM from the D'ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11 AM at St. Christopher Church, 538 Brewer Street, East Hartford. Burial with military honors will follow at Veterans Memorial Field-Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Sunday, (April 22nd) from 3-7 p.m. Memorial donations in Bernard's name may be made to Wide Horizons for Children, 38 Edge Hill Rd., Waltham, MA, 02451, Attention: Pat Clark. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.