Brother Thomas J. Casey, SJ, died in New York City on March 30, 2005, following a long illness. He was 83.
Born in Rochester in 1921, he graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1944. He then earned a degree in photography from the Modern Institute of Photography.
Brother Casey worked as a machinist and production supervisor in the automotive industry and, for a period of nine years, operated his own photography business. In World War II, he served as a bombardier/navigator in the European theater. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1957.
For most of his nearly 50 years in the order, he was a member of the Canisius College Jesuit community in Buffalo, serving in a variety of positions, including director of personnel, treasurer and manager of the community’s residence in Ontario, Canada.
Father James VanDyke, SJ, a teacher at Rochester’s McQuaid Jesuit High School, said, “Many Jesuits find their vocation in the spotlight — in the classroom, in the pulpit, in leadership positions; Brother found his joy serving other Jesuits, privately helping to make so much of our public work possible.”
Brother Casey is survived by his sisters, Sister M. Ambrosine, SSJ, and Regina Tait, both of Rochester; a niece and two nephews. His funeral liturgy was held at Canisius College Christ the King Chapel on April 2, 2005, with burial at the Jesuit Cemetery in Auriesville, N.Y.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Development Office, New York Province of the Society of Jesus, 39 E. 83rd St., New York, NY 10028.
