Passing of Athlone photographer, broadcaster and US Army veteran

John F. Casey, who served in the US Army and Navy before returning to the Athlone area to work as a photographer and broadcast journalist, has died at the age of 98.

Mr Casey, of Four Mile House, Roscommon, and late of Monksland, Athlone, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 15, in the care of the staff of Cloverhill Nursing Home.

To many locals he will be remembered for his work as a photographer of weddings and other functions in Athlone, where he ran the Casey Photography Studio business.

He was also a correspondent on Shannonside radio, and his role there was fondly remembered by journalist Seamus Duke.

"I am very sad to hear of the passing of John Casey," wrote Mr Duke in an online tribute last week.

"He was there from the very start in Shannonside as the Athlone / Westmeath reporter. What a gentleman he was. He was one of the nicest people that I have had the pleasure to work with. May his gentle soul rest in peace."

RTE's 'Prime Time' presenter Fran McNulty also extended his condolences to Mr Casey's family and friends, writing: "As a young reporter in Shannonside I have fond memories of taking in John's reports from Athlone UDC and other events in the area.

"Always calm, always polite, he was a fine reporter and a gentleman. May he rest in peace."

A biographical piece on the website irelandsmilitarystory.ie states that John Casey was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in August 1926, a son of Irish emigrants James Casey and Mary O’Brien. He had one brother, James, who was two years older than him.

The two boys' father, who had served in World War One, died in the mid-1930s and their mother then took them back to her family outside Athlone.

In 1942, John’s brother James turned 18, which meant he was eligible to enlist in the U.S. Army, which he did in Belfast. As World War Two progressed, James was subsequently captured in Italy and became a prisoner of war.

Following in his brother’s footsteps, John Casey headed for Belfast two years later to enlist in the US Army. Prior to his discharge he rose to the rank of Sergeant.

He went on to work for the Boston Gas Company for a spell, before deciding to join the US Navy for what turned out to be a five-year enlistment.

The Korean War broke out during his time in the Navy, and he served for a spell as a plane director on an aircraft carrier stationed in Yokosuka, Japan.

With the help of the GI Bill, which helped qualifying veterans cover their educational costs, he went on to spend three years at a Government-approved school of broadcasting, televising and movie-making. This led to work in Hollywood studios as an assistant film editor for movies and TV shows.

Mr Casey then decided to return to Ireland to help take care of his mother and to set up a photography studio, which resulted in him taking the photos at hundreds of wedding ceremonies.

While back in Ireland, he met his wife, Margaret (Leo), who died 1997.

Predeceased by his wife, his parents James and Mary, and his brother James, he is sadly missed by his nieces Patricia Wisniewski and Kathleen Kearney, both of Massachusetts, relatives, many friends and neighbours, especially Seamus and Breege Cassidy of Four Mile House.

His funeral Mass took place on Wednesday last, March 19, in St Brigid's Church, Drum, followed by burial in Drum cemetery.

May he rest in peace.