Birth date: Jul 18, 1932 Death date: Nov 22, 2022
Maurice T. Casey, 90, of Worthington, OH, passed peacefully from this world on November 22, 2022. “Casey” lived an amazing, impactful life, touching countless people with his kindness and talents. He was born to Jesse Frank and Read Obituary
Maurice WAS AN ABSOLUTELY FUN DIRECTOR who moved his hands and his baton to where it was an art
I'm saddened of the passing of my friend MAURICE CASEY. I had been out of touch for quite some time and only learned of his passing when I read about it in The Choral Journal. Our musical paths crossed through Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Chorus. I had the privilege of teaching at the High School Choral Camp at OSU, and participating in a conducting master class at OSU with renowned conductor Eric Ericson of The Swedish Radio Choir. The ultimate collaboration was when "Casey" asked me to join the OSU Alumni Choir (14 voices) to participate in the first Asia Cantat festival in Japan as the only professional choral group from the USA! Colleen, I've thought about you many many times since meeting you in the 1980's. I can hear your dad calling you "squirt" with great affection in his booming voice. I have always had great affection for you and your mom and dad for a long time. I'm praying for your strength and the extended family.
John Boehm, Atlanta, Ga.
Friend
I sang in choirs that he directed in his early years at Ohio State. We accomplished amazing things under his leadership. An amazing musician and educator who I will always remember.
Maurice was such a delight. Singing sentences, marvelous humor and childlike glee with that deep, resonating voice. I’m so glad to have spent time with him in Ohio once for the Presidents Cup at Muirfield. But the very best memories are of playing golf, relaxing on the patio and all of the marvelous “breaking of bread” (and wine!) together in Indio, California with our excellent chef, Barbara (and at fancy restaurants too). I can’t wait to hear the music you will lead for me, Maurice, when I meet you again in heaven!
When we first spent the winter in Palm Springs, CA we were introduced to a wonderful couple MO and Barb. After a round of golf they were coming to our house and Maurice asked me if I had Gin in a Blue Bottle. When I told him that I did not he refused to come to our home until I got ESPN and Bombay Safire. Once we purchased these small items we enjoyed friends for life. I have many memories of time we spent with Maurice and Barb. When she called use and told us that Maurice had passed away on Nov 22. All I can think about is that was the day after Barbs Birthdays. We miss PS and we will miss Maurice, but we will see Barb again. We will miss the funny things he said and did with us.
Our love for Maurice began when we met him & Barbara in 2015 in Indian Palms CC. From day one Maurice was a kind soul who’s purpose was to make us laugh and feel at home. We had many visits with him and Barb to and from our places via golf cart. What I will remember the most is how loving he was to all his friends. Always attentive and making us feel welcome. My last memory of him will be from this October at my birthday celebration where he ‘conducted’ our guests to sing me ‘happy birthday’. Even at 90 he never missed a beat. Maurice your smiling face and upbeat personality will be missed dearly
We miss Maurice already! Those of us who sang in his choirs or choruses can’t help but think of him during each Christmas Season! His music was integral to the Season and his Presence was part of the Celebration- it always will be for his musical friends!
Yet, Maurice was never a snob about music: Seconding son-in-law’s Andy’s tale of Maurice ‘ThePolarBear’ of York Golf Club, Barbara and I had the treasured experience of waiting in the meadow at Big Sky, MT during a driving thunder squall like you only see ‘Out West’ for over an hour with Maurice and Jane so that we could all enjoy Montana Rose, a favorite of Jane’s, followed by ‘WILLIE NELSON In Concert’! Soaked to our skins, swaying to ‘Blue Skies Do I See’! We still have the souvenir T-shirts somewhere! Who else do you get experiences like that with?
‘Casey Cabin’ along The Gallatin River is the treasured memory of a life-time, and we haven’t even mentioned the trout fishing or the hot tub!
Maurice combined extraordinary abilities as a musician, teacher, coordinator, conductor, and friend. As we remember with gratitude the blessings of our years as family friends, choir members and aficionados of Cantari, we also celebrate our memories of his beloved wife Jane, and send our deepest sympathies to his treasured daughter Colleen and her dear husband Andy.
Two stories : Whatv I know from knowing Maurice Casey. Besides the obvious kind hearted, humorous, well known in the music profession…I am glad he decided to stop his membership at OSU golf course & decided to come join York Golf Club around 1995.
(I would have also never met Colleen.)
Two stories…He had the fever for golf. In the dead of winter he would be one of the few out playing, cold, snow, wind…would not keep him away…that is what earned him from the golf shop the nickname of “Polar Bear.”
Story 2: You could set your watch every Wednesday at 12:20 PM. He would show up & golf after his usual lunch with old friends at a nearby restaurant. …Proud to have been his son-in-law. Andrew B. Wildman
