Enjoyed golf with close friends and the beach
Published July 2, 2020
NORTH READING — Leo Padraic Casey Jr., 88, died peacefully on June 24, 2020 at his home in North Reading in the loving care of his family.
Leo was born July 23, 1931 in Chelsea to Mildred and Leo P. Casey. Leo and his siblings, Brian, Sheila, Donal and Carol, grew up in a household that appreciated both education and fun – literature and stickball, philosophy and touch football.
After graduating from Chelsea High School, Leo attended Boston College and graduated with a degree in Sociology.
Leo proudly served in the U..S. Army from 1953 to 1955. After his time in the army, Leo obtained a master’s degree and advanced graduate certificate from Boston University in counseling.
Leo’s first position in education was in Norwalk, Conn. as a middle school teacher, the start of a 37-year career in teaching and guidance. Leo spent many of these years as a guidance counselor in Melrose Junior and Senior High School. Leo was a born listener and focused his energies on one student at a time. His non-judgmental presence helped many students at challenging times in their lives.
Early in his career Leo met and married Anne Hurley. The two were married on June 2, 1956 at St. Rose Church in Chelsea.
Leo always considered his greatest accomplishment to be his marriage of 64 years to Anne and his loving relationship with his five children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Leo believed strongly that the compassionate care of children was the key to a peaceful life, and every baby that came through Leo’s life was graced by his gentle and deep love.
Leo enjoyed his many years of golf with close friends, and especially his weekly outing with his special friend Jimmy Morse. Leo thought deeply about social issues and enjoyed lively discussions with colleagues. He treasured his time with family at the beach and around the pool and he had a long-term and consistent love for Boston sports teams.
Leo was predeceased by siblings Brian, Sheila, Donal and Carol. Leo is lovingly remembered by his wife Anne, his daughter Kathy DiTroia and her husband Mike of North Andover, his daughter Maureen Henderson and her husband Steve of Hampton, N.H., his daughter Diane Shen and her husband Andy of Andover, his daughter Paula Sandusky and her husband John of Stony Point, N.Y. and his son Mike Casey and his wife Anne Marie of Newmarket, N.H.
Leo was loving Papa to his grandchildren Kevin, Dan, Casey, Kristen, Marisa, Nikki, Danielle, Rosie, Eric, Erin, Clint and Kelly, and to his great-granddaughter Alice.
Funeral services will be private and are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading (www.croswellfuneralhome.com). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at www.stjude.org.
