Obituary of Charles Casey

Funeral Mass to be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 10:30 a.m. at Ave Maria Catholic Church, 9056 E. Parker Road in Parker. Interment at Fort Logan National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m., Staging Area "B". Charles "Chuck" A. Casey, a resident of Parker, CO, was called home to Jesus on September 16, after an 18-month, valiant battle with Leukemia. Chuck was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on July 19, 1930, later saying, "I was born on the hottest day in Battle Creek history and my life took off from there on the tail of a comet." Chuck lived there until he left to join the Air Force, where he served his country during the Korean War. After his tour of duty, Chuck returned home and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1957. He continued to serve his country as an Air Force reservist, with the Recovery and Reconnaissance unit, and then as a National Guardsman until he retired. After college, he found his way to California and began a long career as a Real-Estate Appraiser for Los Angeles County. There, Chuck met his soulmate, Catherine M. McGrory, and they wed in 1963. The couple raised five lovely children, Chris, Craig, Carl, Ceanne, and Cathy Lynn in Westminster, CA. A larger than life personality with a wonderful sense of humor, Chuck participated in local community theater, wrote songs and poetry, and sometimes caddied for a close friend on the PGA tour. An avid member of his parish, he became a Eucharistic Minister and led the singing at church for many years. He retired from professional life and Military service in 1992. Chuck and Cathy spent the next several years traveling all over the United States and retired to New Castle, Delaware in 1994. In 2004, to be closer to family, Chuck and Cathy moved to Parker, CO. Chuck is survived by his wife of nearly 46 years, Catherine M., sons Christopher J. and wife Sherry of Overland Park, KS, Craig E. and wife Elizabeth of Parker, CO, Carl A. and wife Gina of Parker, CO, daughters Cecelia A. and husband Mark Stevens of Waterbury, CT, and Catherine L. of Parker, CO. Chuck was a devoted "Pop-Pop" to Shelby, Samantha, Shannon, Ryan, Sean, Jason, Dylan, and Austin. He is also survived by his sister Mabelee Bresnahan in Mesa, AZ. They say the greatness of a man is not measured by his wealth or status, but by the legacy he leaves behind. Chuck's legacy is that of an ordinary man that led an extraordinary life. Chuck never met a stranger. He had a deep desire to personally know everyone he met, and people reciprocated this by wanting to know him. Chuck treated everyone as an equal to himself, regardless of their status. Whether you were a famous musician, a professional athlete, or the cashier at Burger King, Chuck knew you by your first name, knew your family, and always treated you with respect and dignity. You found yourself wrapped in warmth, kindness, and a caring that only a child of God can provide. Thousands of people are better off today for knowing him. Throughout his life and all through his battle with leukemia, he consistently maintained that he was "the luckiest man in the world". There wasn't a person that Chuck met during his life that he didn't personally connect with or influence in some positive manner. He will definitely be missed by many and remembered by all. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Chuck be made directly to the "Bridging the Faith" campaign at: Ave Maria Catholic Church 9056 E. Parker Rd. Parker, 80138 Service Information