Edward F. Casey Obituary (1924

Edward F. Casey, a lifelong resident of the City, and former first justice of the Bristol Probate and Family Court, died at the age of 89 in Attleboro on August 22, 2013. He was born on Attleboro's East Side on April 12, 1924, son of George V. Casey and Harriet "Hattie" H. Fisher Casey. He was the youngest of three children; his two siblings, George V. Casey, Jr., late of Escondido, California and Marjory H. Baker, late of Foxborough, Massachusetts both predeceased him. Judge Casey attended first and second grade at the Carpenter School, third through seventh grade at the Richardson School, the eighth grade at the Bank Street School, and High School at its earlier location on County Street. In his senior year at Attleboro High School, he played end on the varsity football team, even though he weighed only 118 lbs. The team was undefeated that year. While he broke his wrist in the first game and was unable to play in any subsequent games, he was able to travel with the cheerleaders to all of the away games. During high school he developed a life-long friendship with John F. McBurney, a prominent and successful Pawtucket attorney. The 1942 Attleboro High School yearbook, The Tattletale, contained a section entitled "Class Questionnaire" which listed the students' 'favorite occupation,' 'ambition,' and what the editors themselves thought the individual students' future roles might be. Casey's self-described occupation was 'being with McBurney,' his ambition was 'to be a priest,' and the yearbook editors' expectation was that he would become 'a Hollywood glamour boy.' The reference to the 'Hollywood glamour boy' is a mystery, but he did pursue a pre-ecclesiastical course of study at Providence College. In that same high school yearbook, he selected a quote that appeared below his name: "He's a leader of men and a follower of women," which some have suggested reflected remarkable prescience, though it is hard to reconcile with his stated intention to study for the priesthood. He attended Providence College from 1942 to 1944, and from 1946-1947, and received an A.B. degree. Sometime during those years, his ambition to study for the priesthood changed. From 1944-1946 he served as a storekeeper 2nd class in the U.S. Maritime Service. He volunteered for the U.S. Army during the Berlin Crisis, and served with the Second Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington with duty in San Diego, California and Honolulu, Hawaii. After his mandatory service, he was released from active duty with the requirement that he join the Army Reserve. Seven months later the Korean War began, and many years later he told his children: "The Army remembered my name and address and I was called in." From 1950-1952 during the Korean Conflict he served as a corporal in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. Upon his release from active duty for a third time, he returned to Attleboro. But his mother grew concerned that her 28-year-old son seemed to be too comfortable living at home. Hattie played matchmaker, and suggested that her son buy some eggs from the pretty young woman working at the family farm in Mansfield. Hattie was successful: Casey and Joan M. Redman of Mansfield were married in 1953. There were four children born of the marriage: Edward J. Casey, of North Attleborough; Jane A. Casey, of Bangkok, Thailand and Blenheim, New Zealand; John D. Casey, of North Attleborough; and Jennifer M. Casey, of Los Angeles, California. Casey attended the Boston College Law School evening program, while working as a laborer with the Attleboro Water Department. After passing the bar examination, he began his legal practice in Attleboro in 1956, while also pursuing a life-long involvement in Attleboro community and political affairs. He served three two-year terms on the Attleboro Municipal Council from 1958–1963. From 1965–1967 he served on the Attleboro Traffic Commission. From 1968-1980 he served on the Attleboro School Committee. A number of his friends from high school and the East Side also pursued careers in the law, including the late Ernest Rotenberg, who was appointed to the bench before Casey, as well as Edward J. Kelley, and the Lee brothers. As his legal career developed, he served in leadership capacities within the local, county, and state bar associations; the Boston College Bar Advocates Program; and as a member of the first Board of Bar Overseers. In October 1981, he was appointed a judge in the Bristol County Probate and Family Court. After Judge Rotenberg's death, Casey was appointed first justice of that court succeeding Rotenberg. He especially enjoyed his service as a judge, believing that his role was to administer justice with a fair measure of mercy and compassion. Lawyers loved him because he understood and remembered the demands and pressures that are placed on lawyers, and he tried to accommodate their schedules so that they might better help their clients. He did not embarrass counsel in front of their clients, and he was always ready to give praise to deserving lawyers in the presence of their clients. He retired from the bench in early 1994. Casey was married to Ethel M. Sandbach, Attleboro city treasurer from 1986 through 1998. Casey was proud of the accomplishments of his first wife, Joan, who returned to college as their children were themselves going to college. She earned her undergraduate degree in philosophy from Providence College, a Masters Degree at Salve Regina College, and then returned to Providence College as a professor of Philosophy. Casey was also proud of his children and their spouses: Edward J. Casey, an attorney in Attleboro and his wife Maria Y. Davis Casey; Jane A. Casey, holder of a doctorate in Tibetan and Indian art, and a recognized and published Asian art expert, and her husband Bruce Miller; John D. Casey, first justice of the Norfolk Probate and Family Court and his wife Susan Boardman Casey; Jennifer M. Casey, an accomplished interior designer and former practicing attorney in Los Angeles, and her husband Tom Rogers. Casey often said that it was his wife Joan who deserved all the credit for whatever success the children achieved, because it was she who nurtured them while he was working to build his practice. He was also very proud of his five grandchildren, who have begun to make their way in the world. They are: Captain Ryan E. Casey, USMC, Jane A. Casey, Sarah B. Casey, Erin R. Casey, and Grant C. Casey. Casey was a member of the St. John Evangelist Church chapter of the Knights of Columbus for many years, as well as a member of the Attleboro Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Casey was an avid fan of Providence College basketball, and for many years enjoyed attending the team's games. He loved to read, especially history, and enjoyed making puzzles and going for walks. He did not like to do lawn work, or gardening, or landscaping, home repairs, or to be on boats. Having traveled a little in the Army, he said that he had no further interest in seeing other parts of the world, and was puzzled by the peripatetic ways of some of his children and grandchildren. He loved the company of people, and looked to find the good in others. He believed in service to God and country. He had a dry sense of humor, and he was loyal to his friends. He will be missed. There will be no calling hours. At a future date there will be a Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Church in Attleboro with burial immediately following at the Mt. Hope Cemetery, North Attleborough. Funeral arrangements are being provided by Duffy-Poule Funeral Service, 20 Peck Street, Attleboro. An online guest book may be found at www.duffypoulecares.com. Those wishing to remember Edward may make a donation to the Edward F. Casey Memorial Fund, c/o Attleboro Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 1666, Attleboro, MA 02703. The family will hold a memorial celebration at Highland Country Club, Mechanic Street, Attleboro on Sunday September 15, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. All are invited.