Gerald Peter Casey, 78, Vero Beach
Gerald Peter Casey, 78, of Vero Beach, went home to the Lord on Nov. 8, 2020. He was born to Lucille and Joseph Casey on Nov. 20, 1941, and was the oldest of seven children.
He grew up in New Britain Connecticut. An early believer in hard work, he got his first job at age 10, managing three different newspaper routes. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and pumped gas at Robertson Field in Plainville in order to fulfill a dream of learning to fly airplanes. After graduating from New Britain High School in 1960 he joined the United States Air Force and served in Germany where he developed skills in the newly developing field of computer science. He returned to the United States and built a career in information technology. He met and married the love of his life Joanne (Crowley) Casey on April 22 1967. He and Joanne settled in Ridgefield Connecticut where they raised their 2 children. While building his career and raising his family, Jerry earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business Administration from the University of Hartford. He retired as a senior executive after many years in the insurance industry.
Jerry was an avid runner, completing 14 marathons over the years including the New York City and Boston marathons. He served on the Board of the Ridgefield Symphony for several years and enjoyed being an adult leader on his church’s Emmaus retreats. Jerry loved cooking, reading and entertaining and spending summers at the beach with friends on the Rhode Island shoreline. His true passion was flying and he had numerous adventures piloting his Piper Warrior aircraft for many years. He was known by his friends for his storytelling and for his willingness to lend a helping hand in any difficult situation.
He and Joanne retired to Vero Beach in 2014.
He is survived by his beloved wife Joanne; his daughter Margaret Casey; son Sean Casey and daughter in law Jennifer (Foran); his grandsons who were the light of his life, Maximiliano Gerald Casey-Bolanos and Jack Finn Casey; as well as his siblings William, Richard, Marjorie Skigen, Lucille McCarthy, Russell and Robert; numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends including his childhood friends Ralph Mele and Alan and Larry Witkin.
Due to the current public health situation, services will be private with a public memorial to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name (Gerald Casey) to Tunnels to Towers, an organization that supports the families of fallen fire fighters, police officers and members of our military. https://tunnel2towers.org
Please feel free to leave a condolence to the family
Kelmar Burge, 83, Vero Beach
Kelmar “Kim” Burge, 83, of Vero Beach, left this world on Nov. 8, 2020. Kim was born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1936, the first of three children to Kelmar M. and Sally E. Burge, three years before the NYC World’s Fair, which he attended at age 3. His first of many travel adventures.
He had a passion for life and learning.
A true Renaissance man, his profound knowledge of history, art and music and his passion for travel and adventure allowed him to live a very full and extraordinary life. He would be the first to say “I did it my way.” A consummate gentleman, he had a devilish smile and a twinkle in his eye. Quick to see the humor in even the most mundane situations, his family and friends will greatly miss his witty take on life.
His family moved to Independence MO, where he grew up and graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1955. College was the University of Kansas, Lawrence, MO where he then continued on to Medical School graduating in 1963. There he met and married Elaine Reschke, in his words “the prettiest nurse on campus.” They traveled to Memorial Hospital in Long Beach CA to complete his internship in 1964. The Vietnam war had started and he joined the US Air Force as a Captain in the medical corp. Stationed at Clarke Air Force Base Hospital in the Philippines for two years, he and Elaine were able to travel all over South East Asia and the Middle East on cargo planes. What an adventure they shared. Fortunately, he was an amazing photographer, leaving a history of those travels along with many wonderful stories. My favorite was after discharge they rented a car and drove through Communist Russia (how many people have done that?) on their way to Europe and home.
In 1967, back in the USA he was offered a Residency in Dermatology at Mayo Clinic In Rochester, MN, where he was published. While there his son Eric was born. Kim graduated and achieved his Certification-Diplomate American Board of Dermatology, in 1970. He and Elaine parted ways but remained life-long friends.
In 1971, Kim opened a very successful Dermatology practice in Tampa, Florida. There in 1977 he met and married Cheryl, the love his life. In 1978 they moved to Richmond IN where they made life-long friends and spent many wonderful evenings gathered around the table with good food, drinks and laughter. While in Richmond their daughter Marissa was born.
Kim decided he wanted to pilot a plane. Instead of getting his license first, he bought the plane and learned to fly it. That’s the way he did things. He was expert in boating, scuba diving, downhill skiing, photography and he could write the funniest speeches you’ve ever heard. His accomplishments and accolades are too many to list. He expected a lot of himself and he achieved it.
Semi retired, he and Cheryl moved to Vero Beach in 1985 where he opened a small dermatology practice. His desire was to spend quality time with his patients. After he retired, he was missed by many. Kim loved living in Vero Beach, a philanthropist, he was a valuable member of the community and contributed generously to his favorite charities. Throughout his life he served on various boards and was a respected member of many clubs and organizations. He is currently a member of Quail Valley River Club.
Although adventure and travel were a great part of his life, he loved being at home surrounded by his loving family and friends. Every evening he would mix a specialty Manhattan: half Rye, half red vermouth, a few shakes of bitters, light on the ice and sit overlooking the Indian River. His back yard was his favorite place in the world.
Kim is preceded in death by his parents and brother Nicholas Burge. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Cheryl Burge, son Eric Burge, his wife Kelli, (CO) daughter Marissa Burge (Vero Beach), three grandchildren, Alaric (Tabi), Kiran, and Milly Burge, (CO) two great-grand sons, Felix and Milo Burge, (CO) sister Patricia Thornton, (TX) friend (honorary sister) Elaine O’Neil and husband Billy,(Vero Beach) brothers in-law, sisters in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and wonderful friends. He was a good man, a well loved man and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A Celebration of Kim’s life will be held at a later date due to COVID-19.
Memorial gifts in Kim’s honor may be made to VNA Hospice House, Riverside Theatre, McKee Gardens, Vero Beach Museum of Art, or your favorite charity.
