Brother Castenzio Angelo (Casey) Ferlita, SJ

Brother Ferlita was born Oct. 15, 1938, in Tampa, Fla., and baptized at Sacred Heart Church, the Jesuit church in Tampa, on Jan. 1, 1939. He was the only son of Angelo Ferlita and Rose Therese Noto Ferlita. His sister, Josephine "Sis" Meuse, also preceded him in death. He is survived by his nephews, Barry Meuse and Joseph Meuse, his nieces, Stephanie (Alan) Meuse-Melvin and Jimi Meuse, and his cousins Flo Roberts, Mary Teresa Timmons, and Polly Zambito.

He entered the Jesuit novitiate at St. Charles College in Grand Coteau on Aug. 15, 1960, and pronounced his first vows in the Society of Jesus on Aug. 15, 1962. He stayed in Grand Coteau in the Junior Brothers’ Program and then was assistant infirmarian at St. Charles College, 1964-65. This was the beginning of his life-long interest in health and wellness.

In 1965, Br. Ferlita was missioned to Jesuit High School in New Orleans as assistant athletic director and assistant prefect of discipline. This was the beginning of a long career in secondary education. In 1967, he was named coordinator of the athletic department as well as school infirmarian.

He left Jesuit High School in 1971 to return to Grand Coteau as infirmarian.

In 1973, he was missioned to Strake Jesuit College Preparatory School in Houston. He was assigned to be the prefect of discipline and an athletic trainer. He would remain at Strake Jesuit until 2016.

Brother Ferlita had an immense influence on generations of young men at Strake Jesuit. Most alumni had a “Brother Casey” story to tell.

He was relieved of his disciplinary duties and named an assistant to the alumni director in 2010, but he continued to counsel students.

Dementia eventually required Br. Ferlita to leave Houston in 2016, first for the Jesuit infirmary in Grand Coteau, where he had served early in his Jesuit ministry, then to a specialized dementia facility in St. Louis.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Loyola University New Orleans.

We remember with gratitude all that God has done through Brother Ferlita’s life of service to God and God's people.

There will be a visitation on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. in the Loyola Room of Jesuit Hall in St. Louis, followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 10:30 a.m. in the same location. Burial will be in the St. Charles College cemetery in Grand Coteau, La. The Mass will be streamed live on YouTube. Search for "Br. Casey Ferlita Funeral Mass."

Memorial gifts may be made to the USA Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus at 4511 West Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.

Please leave a favorite memory of Brother Casey for his family to cherish at the "Add a Memory" link below.