Tom Casey departed on his final flight on October 4th, 2022. He was surrounded by his beloved family. Tom leaves behind a wife of forty years, who he called “Mrs. C” or “Love of my life” so often we joked that it was not clear if he even knew her name is actually Laurie! He leaves behind three daughters and a son in law, six grandchildren, two brothers, three sisters, two dogs, many nieces and nephews, countless friends, and a thousand unfinished projects!

Tom was born in Massapequa, New York where he spent his childhood and adolescence camping, traveling cross country with his family, running track, playing soccer, and getting into general teenage shenanigans. While on break from forestry school in Maine, he took a “summer job” at American Airlines and spent the next 34 years having the best summer. It was at American Airlines he met the love of his life, Laurie, and after dating for just four months he proposed on the beach in Hawaii. Their jobs eventually took them to North Carolina. The only thing he loved as much as his wife was being a dad to his three girls, and later a PopPop to his grandchildren.

His sense of humor, joy, and silliness were an instant magnet to children - who could tell he was after all, just a big kid at heart. He loved old houses, Irish music, fixing things most of the way, air shows and airplanes in all forms, taking his kids on road trips to historic sites instead of normal vacations, collecting strange antiques, making French toast for his girls. He had a love of history and was a Revolutionary War Reenactor. His “Jersey Blues” were a second family, and more recently he also joined an18th century geographers group. Through his countless daily small gestures, no one ever felt unloved in his presence.

He lived for managing chaos with grace and ease, earning him the nickname “Can-Do Casey” and “The Mayor of RDU” at the airport. He managed his various complex illnesses in the same way. He was blessed with a second chance at life when a stranger’s family made the choice to be an organ donor in their moment of deep grief. They gifted the world almost 7 more years of Tom Casey.

He is survived by his beloved wife Laurie Casey, his three daughters, Michelle Biondolillo,(Mark) Allison Casey, and Erin Casey. Also by his brothers Paul Casey(Mary Lou) and Bill Casey (Irene) and his sisters Joanne Stanosz,(Glen) Kate Sweeney,(John) and Patricia Casey (Jeff). He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Helen Casey and his sister Mary Casey. He was a proud “PopPop” to his grandchildren, Breanna, Elijah, Mary, Anna, Sam, and Charlotte.

He will be deeply missed by all who ever met him, and even those who didn’t. He was one of a kind. The best way to honor his memory is to sign up to be an organ donor and laugh whenever you can. In the words of one of his favorite Irish songs, which we sang to him as he transitioned “and since it falls unto my lot/that I should rise and you should not/I gently rise and softly call, good night and joy be to you all.” (The Clancy brothers and Tommy Makem - THE PARTING GLASS)

A celebration of Tom’s life is being planned. Details to follow.

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