John Francis Casey

STERLING - John Francis Casey Jr., age 97, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, November 20, 2016 surrounded by his family after a short illness. Born on May 30, 1919 to John and Sophronia Casey in Holden, he worked underground on the tunnels supplying water to the City of New York from up state while in his teens. He joined the military in January of 1942 and served in Europe until he was honorably discharged as a Tech Sergeant, Grade 3 in December of 1945. John trained as a blacksmith/welder and supported the invasion of Normandy by designing and welded snorkels on tanks so they could run underwater when leaving LSTs for the beach. John followed the troops ashore repairing damaged vehicles which were then forwarded on to the front. He was awarded Good Conduct & Victory Medals and a European African Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon. John lived several places before settling in Sterling. His career includes building Pullman Standard and welding for Norton Company in Worcester. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, LOCAL 4, and retired at the age of 62 from R. E. Chapman Co in Oakdale. He liked to say that he had been retired longer than he had worked. John enjoyed spending time in the woods as much as with family and friends hunting, fishing and always working on a project or two. He was an active member in several Foxhunting and Sportsman Clubs. His passion was his Foxhounds, breading and the competition of field trials of which he amassed hundreds of trophies and ribbons winning from Prince Edward Island, Canada to Mississippi, USA. Beside his wife, Doneta Bronise (Bartash) of 63 years of marriage, family includes his sons, Timothy Casey and his wife, Susan Ostrowski, Shawn Casey and his wife, Holly Mailloux; and sister, Winifred Jeanne Jackson. He was predeceased by the following siblings: Margaret, Dorothy, Helen, Hazel, Mildred, Mary, Elizabeth, Phyllis, Pauline, James, Irene and Walter and leaves behind many nieces and nephews. His favorite saying was “a hug is a handshake from the heart". Relatives and friends are invited to visit with John's family from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 26, in the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling, followed by a Service of Personal Reflections at 4 p.m. Burial will be private in Hillside Cemetery, Sterling. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, please "sign the guestbook" on this page.