Thomas M. CASEY 10/11/20 - 9/12/04 The family of Thomas M. Casey is sad to report that he died of various health problems on Sunday, September 12, 2004, at age 83, just one month short of his 84th birthday. Tom, known as "Tommy" in his family, was the youngest of five boys born to his Irish immigrant parents, Stephen and Julia Casey; two other children born into their family were lost to the influenza epidemic of the early 1900's. Like his siblings, Tom was born at home in Denver, Colorado, which is also where he was raised.

He lovingly described his mother as a compassionate parent who guided his family through the Great Depression and other hardships. As an adult he enjoyed correspondence and an occasional visit with his siblings, and he was very proud of his brother, John's, history of service as a Jesuit priest. After attending the University of Colorado in Boulder for two years, Tom moved on the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, and then graduated from the Academy in 1943, Tom Joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served overseas during World War II as a Lieutenant on a Naval transport ship known as the USS La Salle.

He was proud of his military service and fondly recalled for us some of the lighter moments in his many journeys at sea. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Tom worked for a few years in the insurance industry and then in 1950 went on to a long career as a longshoreman on the Seattle waterfront. Tom met his wife, Dorothy, through her work in the USO during the war, and after they married in 1945. They lived briefly with her parents in the University District before moving to Queen Anne Hill.

Dorothy died in 1987 and Tom retired early so that, in his devotion to her, he could help care for her in her illness. He continued to live on the Hill until October, 2002, thus ending a Casey presence on Queen Anne that had lasted for over 50 years. Tom and Dorothy's eight children grew up on Queen Anne and attended grade school at St. Anne's where Tom was a faithful parishioner. In his later years, Tom attended Mass at Sacred Heart and for quite some time he volunteered to read verses during services there.

He moved to Mt. Angel, Oregon, in 2002 to live in a retirement facility near where his daughter, Sister Susan, OSB, lives. In addition to his beloved spouse of 41 years, Tom is also preceded in death by his son, Tim, who died in 1999. Tom is survived by his children, Mike of Yakima, Pat (Casey O'Neil) of Seattle, Sister Susan, OSB of Mt Angel, OR, John of Portland, OR, Jerry of Issaquah, Molly Hart of Chattaroy, WA and Mark of Seattle, along with six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous others in the extended family.

During his time in Mt. Angel, Tom took much comfort in the daily visits that he had with Sue, and he was especially grateful, as we all are for the generous help that she provided to him as his health began to fail. Tom maintained his dignity and his Irish wit as he calmly approached his death with a sense of acceptance and resolution.

He was a devout Catholic, a hard worker and an honest man: he will be missed. A Memorial Mass was celebrated earlier this week at the Queen of Angels Monastery in Mt. Angel, and there was also a gathering of his peers and the staff at The Towers where he had lived. Recitation of the Rosary for Tom will be Friday, September 17th, at 7 p.m. at Hoffner Fisher & Harvey Chapel The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, September 18th, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Seattle, with a reception at the church immediately following.