We Remember
CASEY, John Edward
February 6, 1940 — February 24, 2023
John Casey passed away on February 24, 2023, at the Kelowna Hospice House. John was born in Elrose, Saskatchewan, to Annie and Sylvester Casey. He attended school there until abut age 10, and he remembers building tunnels in the snow; he then moved to Westlock, Alberta. After graduating from high school, he started work at the Hudson Bay store in Edmonton, Alberta. A short time later, he began work with the Bank of Montreal in Edmonton.
During one of his visits to Calgary, AB to see his sister Eva Ann, he met his future wife, Ursula Holmer. They were married on July 2, 1966.
John decided to pursue a career in education, obtaining a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta, a Master’s Degree from the University of Oregon in Eugene, and a Doctorate of Education from Arizona State University in Tempe in 1984.
John had an amazing teaching journey. His first teaching experience was at St. Mary’s school in Calgary. He was the first male teacher in an all-girls school with mostly nuns (Sisters) in charge. In 1971, he became one of the first teachers at Bishop Caroll High School, when it opened in Calgary. It was the first school of its kind for individual learning in Canada. In 1982, John ventured to Whitehorse, Yukon to work at the Yukon Vocational School and later became director. After a short time, he became president of Yukon College and arranged for affiliation with the University of BC. It is now known as Yukon University.
A career change brought John to Nelson, BC in 1990, to Canadian International College, a college for Japanese students. He was in charge of the Nelson campus. Over the years, he made several trips to Japan to recruit students to come to Canada to learn English.
John’s family was so very dear to him. He was very proud of both his sons, Jason and Joel, for their achievements and his very loving grandchildren Maraya and Brielle (Jason’s), and Jada and Dylan (Joel’s).
John and Ursula had many happy winter holidays in Hawaii. They made many wonderful friends and have fond memories of staying at the Royal Grove Hotel in Waikiki. In later years, winter holidays were spent in Mexico. John loved nothing more than being in the warm sun, sitting on a sandy beach, and listening to the waves roll in.
John will be remembered as a kind, caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend. John was a gentle, positive man with a quiet sense of humour. He also enjoyed a drink of scotch.
John’s long battle with health problems ended in Hospice House in Kelowna. This was an amazing place with the best, kind, compassionate care from all the palliative care doctors, nursing staff, house moms, receptionists, volunteers, and even dogs!
John is survived by his wife Ursula; sons, Jason (Lisa) and Joel (Liza); and four grandchildren, Maraya & Brielle (Jason), and Jada & Dylan (Joel); as well as by his siblings: sister Helen Kutz (Leonard), brother Pat Casey (Bobbie), sister Eva Ann Grace, brother Michael Casey (Brenda); brothers-in-law, Charlie Holmer, Joe Kloeble, and Barry McCauley; and his numerous nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Annie and Sylvester Casey; brother, Gordon Casey & sister-in-law, Lillian Casy; brother-in-law, Gary Grace.
The family wishes to thank all our wonderful family, friends, and neighbours for all your love, prayers, friendship, and support. We also wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Van Der Ross and staff, as well as Lakeside Pharmacists and staff, and to the many other health care professionals that participated in his care.
For anyone who wishes, donations may be made to the Central Okanagan Hospice House, or a charity of choice.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023, at 11:00 AM (PST), at IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH (839 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, BC) with Father Cerlouise Jimenez and Father Peter Thompkins presiding. The Mass may be seen online (see below).
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
LIVESTREAM:
Service
MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023, at 11:00 AM (PST)
Location
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH
Share with Others:
Central Okanagan Hospice House (2035 Ethel St, Kelowna BC V1Y 2Z6) Link: hospicehousekelowna.com
Service Information
Service Details
The service for CASEY, John Edward is scheduled for MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023, at 11:00 AM (PST). Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH
839 Sutherland Ave Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
Ursula, Jason, Joel and families. Please accept our heartfelt condolences at this very sad time. We all have wonderful memories of the years spent together in the Yukon and in Kelowna as well. Our hearts break for your family on the huge loss of a great family man.
Ursula, Jason, Lisa, Joel, Liza, Maraya, Brielle, Jada & Dylan
May it help in some small way to know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Uncle John will be foundly remembered!
Dear Ursula and family…our deepest sympathies to you on the passing of John. You have selected a beautiful photo of the man we came to know in Balmoral and it is the way will always remember him; a man of wisdom, of the highest integrity with a passion for friendliness to anyone around. He will be sadly missed by all.
Love Ron & Marilyn Howden
To the Casey Family. We are so very sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a kind and loving soul and always had utmost class. He will be fondly remembered by our family during the years spent in Nelson, BC. We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Take comfort in all the many wonderful memories. Please accept our sincere sympathies.
From the Cerone Family.
I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing and send my sincere condolences to Ursula and the boys and their families. I worked with John at Canadian International College for his many years in Nelson. He was a wonderful man – caring, calm, and professional. He was respected by all of the teachers and staff at the College. I know that he loved his retirement years of travel and being with Ursula and his boys and their families. A special man and he will be remembered.