Dr. John Michael Casey, PE

Dr. John “Pop” Michael Casey, PE of Athens, GA passed away on September 16, 2025. He was born on July 11, 1935, in Scranton, PA to Attorney Alphonsus Liguori Casey and Marie Magdalene Cummings Casey. He attended Jesuit high school and colleges, graduating from Scranton Preparatory School, taking two years of Pre-Engineering at the University of Scranton, and earning a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Detroit. He was a practicing engineer throughout his entire professional life, working as a sales engineer with the Trane Company and as the owner of a consulting engineering firm in Scranton prior to relocating to Georgia. He earned registered professional engineering licenses in Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Georgia.

In 1959 he married his one and only love, Noleen Marie O’Boyle. Together they had four daughters. Sadly, their second born, Maureen Casey died when only twelve days old. The other three daughters graduated from Cedar Shoals High School in Athens and The University of Georgia. A man of very deep and unwavering faith, the family attended the UGA Catholic Center, and there found many friends in both the clergy and the congregation. John was a member of the Center Finance committee for several years.

In addition to his parents and daughter Maureen, he was predeceased by his beloved wife of 62 years, Noleen; in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gerard and Mary Elizabeth (Nolan) O’Boyle; his brother, The Honorable Robert P. Casey, former Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; sister-in-law and former First Lady of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Ellen Harding Casey; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Robert and Mary O’Boyle; and, granddaughter, Casey Elizabeth Wood.

John is survived by daughters Joleen Neel (Stan) of Atlanta; Patricia Headley (Anthony) of Greensboro; and Mary McClane (Mark) of Athens. Known affectionately as “Pop” to them, he is survived by grandchildren Maggie Innes (Patrick); John Neel (Mary Garrett); Molly Neel; Matt Headley; Collin Headley (Reilly); Olivia Headley; Nolan Wood; Jessa Sides (Will); Devon McClane; and great grandchildren Harper and Teddy Sides. Other survivors include many beloved nieces, nephews, and godchildren, and two who resided with the family for a time, Kathleen O’Boyle Reilly (Jack) of Arlington, TX and Karen O’Boyle Pagoda (Walter) of South Hampton, NJ.

John joined the UGA Physical Plant Engineering Department in 1974 and retired as its Director in 2002. He was blessed to work with dedicated and highly proficient and knowledgeable coworkers. They supported countless faculty and staff members by helping with location and environmental problems and they secured critical grants for energy projects and asbestos removal. He was proud to be an integral part of the department that prepared drawings and specifications for hundreds of UGA construction and renovation projects. John earned a Master of Public Administration degree and a Doctor of Education from UGA, the latter in the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education.

He assisted Veterinary Schools in Maracay, Venezuela, helping design a high security laboratory, and in Maracaibo, Venezuela. He was a member of the UGA Institutional Biosafety Committee and taught in the UGA Agricultural Engineering School as an Adjunct Professor. He was named an Emeritus Member of APPA, the international facilities management association, where he wrote the Book Review column of their publication for many years. He was co-author on juried publications in Public Health and Animal Research and his papers on deferred maintenance and risk-related research in higher education have been archived in the ERIC Database. Upon retirement he assisted the Adams Group at St. Thomas University in Houston, TX, and was selected by the UGA Athletic Association as the Owner’s On-Site Representative for the Annex Project at the UGA Stegeman Coliseum.

A member of the President’s Club, and a football season ticket holder since 1974, he was a diehard Bulldawg. He also held season tickets for both men’s and women’s basketball and gymnastics. His outbursts at basketball games in Stegeman Coliseum questioning the referees’ eyesight were legendary. He was exceptionally proud that he and his family had earned nine degrees from UGA, including three generations of doctoral graduates.

John was a member of the lunchtime basketball wannabees who played in the old Stegeman Hall and the Ramsey Center for many years. He had deceptive speed - he was slower than he looked. He was a true car aficionado and life-long automobile admirer. He was the proud owner of many very USED cars, including a Rolls-Royce, a Bentley, Jaguars, Mercedes-Benzes, Cadillacs, Lincolns, Fiat, MG, Sunbeam-Talbot, and an Audi amongst other makes and models. While not cheering on his Dawgs, many a weekend were spent under the hood of a car, tinkering and spending time on his favorite hobby.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making contributions to either The Casey Elizabeth Wood Memorial Scholarship in Music Therapy at the UGA Hodgson School of Music (gifts@uga.edu) or The Noleen O’Boyle Casey Scholarship for School Nurses at St. Joseph’s College, in Standish, Maine (sjcme.edu/giving).

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 9 from 6-8pm at Lord & Stephens East, 4355 Lexington Road, Athens, GA 30605.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 10 at 11am at The Catholic Center at The University of Georgia, 1344 S Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30605 with a reception to follow in the Center Hall.

Interment will be held on Saturday, October 18 at 11am at Cathedral Cemetery, 1708 Oram St, Scranton, PA 18504 with a Blessing Service officiated by Msgr. Joseph G. Quinn.