Obituary of Reverend John Casey

Reverend John William Casey 95, Pastor Emeritus of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Tunkhannock, and a resident of St. Luke's Villa, Wilkes-Barre died on September 13, 2015. Father Casey, son of the late John W. Casey, Sr., and Mary O’Boyle Casey, was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on February 15, 1920. He was a graduate of Saint John’s High School, Pittston, and attended the University of Scranton. His studies for the priesthood were completed at Saint Peter’s Seminary, London, Ontario, Canada. Father Casey was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1945 in Scranton by the Most Reverend William J. Hafey, D.D., late Bishop of Scranton. Following ordination, Father Casey served as Assistant Pastor at Saint Mary’s of the Immaculate Conception Church, Wilkes-Barre. On September 17, 1953, he was appointed Assistant Pastor at Saint Patrick’s Church, Scranton, and three years later, he was appointed Administrator at Saint Patrick’s. He remained in this ministry for ten years. On September 14, 1966, Father Casey received his first Pastorate at Saint Ann’s Church, Bentley Creek and two years later was named Administrator of Saint David’s Church. On January 28, 1970, Father Casey was appointed Pastor at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Tunkhannock, and remained in that position until his retirement on January 27, 1983. In addition to his parochial duties, in 1980 Father Casey served as Region XIII Chairman for the Follow Christ! Program. Father Casey was preceded in death by his brother Monsignor George Casey and his sisters Rita McCabe and Madeline McGrail. Father Casey is survived by several nieces and nephews. A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend James C. Timlin, D.D., Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Scranton, on Friday, September 18, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Tunkhannock. Interment will be held in Pieta Cemetery Tunkhannock, PA. Viewing will take place at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 99 East Tioga Street, Tunkhannock, on Friday, September 18, 2015, from 10: 00 AM until the funeral Mass. Arrangements by Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home, Inc. 73 West Tioga St. Tunkhannock, Pa. For directions or on line condolences please visit www.sheldonkukuchkafuneralhome.com.