Dr. John Francis Casey, M.D., Facp

Dr. John Francis Casey was born on December 18, 1950 in Detroit, Michigan. His parents were John Francis and Helen Rebecca (nee McPhail) Casey, and they were of Irish and Scottish descent. Dr. Casey died, peacefully, at Wyandotte Hospital, on September 30, 2023. He was 72. Dr. Casey is survived by his wife, Margaret Mary (nee Sokol) Casey, his son, James Patrick Casey, his daughter, Helen Ann (nee Casey) Milford, and her husband, Michael Patrick Milford. Dr. Casey also has two granddaughters, Zelie Marie and Eilis Anne.

Dr. Casey was first, and always, a physician – a graduate of Wayne State University Medical School, he specialized in Internal Medicine. In the late 1970s, he joined the Associated Physicians Group, at their Woodhaven, and Taylor offices, rounding at Wyandotte Hospital. Dr. Casey was the only physician in his practice to give patients his home phone number on his business card, so they could reach him at any time with a question. He also made house calls, at a time when the practice was going out of fashion.

In the late 1980s, Henry Ford Health System wished to acquire clinics and hospitals in the surrounding communities. In 1989, Dr. Casey negotiated the merger of Associated Physicians, and Wyandotte Hospital, into the Henry Ford Health System. In turn, Henry Ford named him Medical Director of the Downriver Area. This was highlighted in multiple medical journals as the largest medical merger of it’s time. Dr. Casey was only 38 years old.

In addition to his achievements at his practice, Dr. Casey was also a scholar. Shortly after completing his residency, he was admitted as a Fellow to the American College of Physicians. Dr. Casey was one of the first in his medical school class to obtain this honor. Despite his executive responsibilities, Dr. Casey remained devoted to his patients. He continued to practice medicine, while holding the office of Medical Director, until he retired in the early 2000s.

When he wasn’t at his medical practice, Dr. Casey would be found in front of his piano. He was an accomplished pianist, and lover of music. Dr. Casey could play any genre of music: classical, jazz, opera, and sing just as well. He was a member of the Grosse Ile Big Band during the 1990s, and played organ for the Boars Head Production in 1994. Dr. Casey impressed his love of music on his children, accompanying them when they played the trumpet or violin. He also enjoyed musical theatre and

opera, as a patron of the Michigan Opera Theatre. This love of music was intertwined with his deep Catholic Faith – as a young boy, his father enrolled him in the Palestrina School of Music, run by the Archdiocese of Detroit. Dr. Casey learned how to play the organ, accompanying the priests at mass with Gregorian Chant. He continued to play organ for various parishes in the city of Detroit throughout college and medical school, and never lost his love of the Latin Mass. Later in life, he would serve as the Vicariate Representative of the Sacred Heart Parish Council, before his health declined and he was forced to curtail his activities.

None of Dr. Casey’s achievements would have been possible without the love and support of his wife, Dr. Margaret Mary Casey, MD. They were married for 47 years, and were college sweethearts. Dr. Casey told his children, there was never anyone for him but “his Margie” who was his sweetheart. They built a wonderful life together, with two children, and eventually grandchildren.

In his final years, Dr. Casey was diagnosed with cancer – with his natural tenacity, and love and support of his wife and family, he was able to survive a terminal prognosis for over 10 years. He found something to enjoy in every day life, with his dry, witty sense of humor. It was this positive outlook that lead him to counsel patients, who received grim medical news, not to lose heart – “Don’t worry about dying. Everyone dies – the key is, to live your life to the fullest.” Dr. Casey did just that, and he will be truly missed.

Visitation will take place at The Martenson Family of Funeral Homes - Trenton Chapel on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm. A rosary service will begin at 7:00 pm. The service will be on Wednesday, October 4, instate at 9:30  until the funeral mass at 10:30 at St. Stephen Catholic Church, New Boston.