Lieutenant Colonel John L. Casey, USAF (Ret.)

Lieutenant Colonel John L. Casey, USAF (Ret.), passed away on July 7, 2026, in Fairfax, VA, after a difficult battle with interstitial lung disease. He was 78 years old.

John was born on February 15, 1948, in Pottsville, PA, and raised in Mount Wolf, PA. He graduated as salutatorian of York Catholic High School in 1966, earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, cum laude, from Villanova University in 1970, and later a Master of Science in Computer Science from Rutgers University in 1975.

On September 4, 1971, John married his high school sweetheart, Jo (Josephine Camalleri), in York, PA. The couple began their marriage in California while John was on active duty with the United States Air Force. After a couple more military moves, John and Jo settled in New Jersey, where they raised their four children — Laura, Andrea, John Philip, and Matthew. In 2024, after 40 years in Whitehouse Station, NJ, they moved to Ashburn, VA.

John joined the U.S. Air Force in November 1970, serving as a C-141 Navigator with the 18th Military Airlift Squadron during the Vietnam War. He continued his distinguished career in the Air Force Reserve from 1973 to 2002, including command of the 35th Aerial Port Squadron, active service during Operation Desert Storm, and roles as Deputy Group Commander and Deputy Commander of the Joint Military Postal Activity-Atlantic. He retired in 2002 as Air Transportation Chief with the Military Postal Service Agency. In retirement, he remained active as an Admissions Liaison Officer for the United States Air Force Academy and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, and as Director for Military Relations at the Armed Forces Heritage House Museum.

Alongside his military service, John had a long civilian career as a telecommunications professional at Bell Labs, Bellcore, and Telcordia Technologies, where he led the development of major operations support systems. After retiring in 2001, he taught mathematics at Readington Middle School in New Jersey until 2011.

John was a devoted husband, father, uncle, and grandfather. He never missed a piano recital, soccer game, school concert or any activity with his family. He loved meeting new people, making friends easily and learning everyone's name. Throughout his life, he loved teaching, coaching, golfing, hosting Balloon Festival parties, and vacationing on Long Beach Island. He was always ready to fight for causes in which he believed. Among his cherished memories were Thanksgiving morning jogs with his family, along with countless afternoons by the pool surrounded by family and friends.

A longtime parishioner of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Roman Catholic Church in Bridgewater, NJ, John was active in the parish community. John and Jo were Pre-Cana Facilitators and altar servers for funerals. He was a host for the Interfaith Hospitality Network, supporting unhoused people during the winter months. John went on several mission trips to Appalachia to build and repair houses and was active in the Men's Ministry. He gave his time and energy supporting young mothers and their children by volunteering at New Moms, New Expectations. Through these efforts, and many others, he was awarded the Charlie Grill Award in 2013 for outstanding service, dedication, and leadership in the parish community.

After moving to Ashburn, VA, John became engaged in the Ashby Ponds Senior Living Community. At Ashby Ponds, he enjoyed woodworking, gardening, bocce, and pickleball. He was an active member of the diversity, equity, and inclusion organization at Ashby Ponds, bringing together residents with varying views and perspectives to build a harmonious community. John participated in the Catholic Men's Club and co-organized a Veterans' recognition event. He made a noticeable impact on the people at Ashby Ponds in only two years.

John put 100% into everything he did. He was a man of faith, deeply committed to community and the ideals of the nation. When asked what he wanted for Father's Day, he would answer, to be together as a happy family, and he worked tirelessly to support, love, and provide for them. He did very well. John worked hard his entire life to bring people together and make the world a better place. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Jo Casey of Ashburn, VA; his brother Gerry (Cindy) Casey of Belle Harbor, NY, and family; his four children, Laura (Chris) Tremblay, Andrea (Brian) LoBalbo, John Philip (Jen) Casey, and Matthew (Meghan) Casey; and six grandchildren, William, Abigail, Owen, Maeve, Andrew, and Rose. He was predeceased by his parents, John J. and Margaret (Barrett) Casey of Mount Wolf, PA.

A viewing will take place on Sunday, July 19, 2026 from 2pm-5pm at the Branchburg Funeral Home, 910 Rt. 202 South, Branchburg, NJ 08876.

Funeral services will be held at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Bridgewater, NJ, on July 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Entombment to follow at St. Bernard Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bob Woodruff Foundation or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.