Avis de décès de Rev. -John-V. Casey - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

VILLANOVA, Pa. Rev. John V. Casey, OSA died March 13, 2006. He was born on August 4, 1912 in Lawrence, Mass. and was the son of the late John M. and Mary Pomeroy Casey. He had three brother and three sisters. He was baptized on August 8, 1912 at St. Mary's Church, Lawrence, Mass. and attended that parish elementary school, graduating in 1926. He received his high school education at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, N.Y. 1927-1931 as a postulant. He was received into the novitiate September 12, 1931 and, after his year as a novice at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, N.Y., he professed first vows on September 13, 1932. He then went to Villanova College from 1932-1936, and professed solemn vows on September 13, 1935. He completed his theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, DC and was ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 1939 at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC. He obtained an M.A. in political science, international law, from Catholic University, Washington, DC in 1940. Fr. Casey's first assignment in 1940 was as professor of social studies at Colegio San Agustin, Iloilo, Philippines. With the outbreak of World War II and the capture of the Philippines by the Japanese, he, along with other American Augustinians, was placed under house arrest at the Colegio on December 8, 1941 and later imprisoned with other clergy at the Dominican College of St. Thomas in Manila. After the liberation of the Philippines in 1945, Fr. Casey returned to the United States and was assigned to the Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, N.Y. In 1947, he was assigned to the newly founded Merrimack College, North Andover, Mass. as assistant to the president. He then served as associate pastor at St. Laurence O'Toole Parish in Lawrence, Mass. from 1948-1955, where he served not only the parish, but was chaplain at local hospitals. He then served at St. Mary's Parish in Lawrence, Mass., his home parish, from 1955-1968, and was also chaplain to Central Catholic High School and to the Marist Brothers who staffed the school. In gratitude, the Marist affiliated him to the Marist Brotherhood. From 1968 to 1979, he served as pastor at Saint Augustine's Parish in Lansingburgh. While at St. Augustine's, Fr. Casey took great pride in the service provided by the Knights of the Altar. He re-established the St. Vincent de Paul Society for the care of those in need. He was the chaplain for the Troy Fire Department. He was proud of his Irish heritage and enjoyed attending the Society of the Friends of St. Patrick in Troy. During his tenure as pastor of St. Augustine's, the school was a high priority of his ministry and, during that time, the nearly century-old building underwent broad renovations. He founded the Mother of Good Counsel Right to Life Society at St. Augustine's and devoted much support for the unborn child. In 1979, he returned to Lawrence, Mass. to serve as associate pastor at Holy Rosary Parish from 1979-1990. In 1989, he celebrated his 50th anniversary as a priest. In 1990, he left parish ministry to live at the monastery at Merrimack College until 2001 when he moved to Saint Thomas Monastery in Villanova. Fr. Casey, although from the Boston area, had a lifelong love for the New York Yankees and a dislike for rice, because of his time of imprisonment in the Philippines. The Province Archives possesses audiotapes which record vivid and detailed reminiscences of his imprisonment. Those who knew him said that the Eucharist was at the heart of Fr. Casey's life and whoever walked by his open door at the health care unit saw him always praying his Breviary or his Rosary. A cheerful man and dedicated priest, he fostered fraternal life in all the places he lived. His unwavering faith in God was manifested by the spiritual advice that he gave to many, Never underestimate the power of God. Father Casey passed over to the Lord on Monday, March 13, 2006 at the Villanova Monastery. Funeral Liturgy will be held at St. Thomas Monastery Chapel on Thursday. A memorial Mass will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at St. Augustine's Church in Lansingburgh at 9:30 a.m. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Lawrence, Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to the Augustinian Infirmary at Villanova Monastery or to the Restoration Fund at St. Augustine's Church, both in care of 25-115th. Street, Troy, NY 12182. Arrangements have been entrusted to the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, Inc., 565 4th Avenue, Troy, NY 12182, 518-235-0952.