Australian Dictionary of Biography entry:https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/casey-john-brendan-12297

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Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Casey, John

Educator; born Clarence, NSW, 3 February 1909; died Sydney, 30 January 1985, aged 75.

John Casey's early education was only modest, enrolling at the Sydney Technical School to study analytical chemistry after his primary education. As his vocation to the Society grew, he attended St Ignatius' College, Riverview, with the primary aim to study Latin, but he also enjoyed playing cricket and rowing. He left school early and helped his father in business at Hunter's Hill.

He joined the Jesuits at Greenwich, 4 February 1930, at the age of 21 and spent two years after that studying the humanities before going to St Aloysius' College for three years of regency. He also taught for one year at St Louis', Perth before ordination in 1944. He was one of the first group of Australian born Jesuits to complete their studies entirely in Australia.

As a scholastic he encouraged other Jesuits to reflect on how to interpret Jesuit traditions into the Australian culture. These men were forming an Australian Jesuit identity. More than any other member of the province, Casey formulated the spiritual basis of Jesuit education.

He became the first Australian born and trained Jesuit to become a college rector when appointed to St Aloysius' College in 1948 before his six-year appointment as rector of Riverview from 1949. He returned to St Aloysius' as rector in 1955, and after that was rector of St Louis' School, and Campion College, Melbourne, 1966-67. He later spent time at Canisius College, and then returned to Riverview for the rest of his life.

When he went to Riverview in 1946 as first division prefect and sportsmaster, he was constantly cheerful and encouraging, prudent and wise in counselling others, a deeply spiritual man, and supportive of the work done by younger Jesuits, caring for their physical and spiritual well being.

He showed his ability for administration in his care of the boarding house and in sporting arrangements. His personal concern for the students earned him the nickname of 'dear John'. He had a good relationship with other GPS schools for his friendly relationships with masters and students. In holiday time he gave retreats to other religious orders, nuns and brothers.

While rector of the two Sydney Colleges, he published a prayer book for the students, the Alter Christus, which was widely used. He wanted each boy to appreciate his own special gifts, and use them by modeling Christ.

As rector of Riverview he re-painted the chapel, built the 'Woods' classrooms, and refurbished the laundry with new equipment. He planned the new entrance to the college past first field, and supervised the building of the new boatsheds in honour of Father Thomas Gartlan, the first rowing master and former rector. He initiated discussions to reclaim the golf links area for a junior school. He had closed the previous junior school, Campion Hall, Point Piper, in 1953. He also put up new honour boards on the staircase of the old building near the refectory for the Old Ignatian Union presidents, Old Boy priests and captains of the school.

As rector of St Aloysius' College, his inspirational leadership resulted in many young men joining the Society of Jesus and other religious orders. The boys called him 'honest John', affectionately appreciating his goodness, and his reverence and respect for students.

At St Louis, with uncertain health, he was commissioned to explore the possibility of building a secondary school at Attadale, the long-awaited dream of the archbishop. Much consultation and deliberations followed, the result being to decline the offer. It was believed that the Society did not have adequate resources to staff the college, and its position between two Christian Brothers’ schools was not considered wise.

At Campion College, he and the scholastics did not agree on many aspects of religious living, Casey reminding all of his understanding of the spirit of the Constitutions and the regular life of a religious. On the other hand, the scholastics were looking for greater freedom of expression in religious life in the spirit of Vatican II. This was not a happy time for Casey, as, for the first time in his Jesuit life, he lost the strong admiration of many scholastics. His health was poor at the time.

Casey was always an unwell man, suffering from bronchitis, diabetes and high blood pressure, and the latter years of his life at Canisius College, Pymble, and Riverview were difficult times. In his declining years at Riverview he was spiritual father to the boys, saying Masses and hearing confessions, and on Saturdays would be found watching games, and talking to parents and Old Boys.

He was a much loved and respected man for his personal kindness and interest in people. Likewise his colleagues on the Headmasters' Conference held him in high regard, making him a life member of the Association. Without any academic qualifications, he was particularly proud to be elected a Fellow of the Australian College of Education, which stood as a tribute to his respect among his educational associates. He served on both Catholic and Independent School committees, such as the Teachers' Guild, the Bursary Endowment Board, and the Wyndham committee that changed secondary education in NSW in 1966. He regularly submitted long and detailed reports on many educational and spiritual subjects.

He was a spiritual man, who fostered the piety of his students in a most natural and encouraging manner. He was thoughtful of others, good at delegating authority, and ever watchful that other Jesuits were not over-burdened with work. He enjoyed developing ideas; he was a visionary man, an Ignatian idealist, who worked hard to convince others of the righteousness of his cause. The new St Aloysius' College bears testimony to this - it was his inspiration. He was a sensitive man, and his health frequently deteriorated when he felt 'let down' by adults or boys he had trusted.

He was a most pastoral man, writing to those he had married each year on their anniversary and remembering names so well. Many loved him. His greatest gift was the warmth and friendliness of his personality, respecting the dignity and value of each person. He used his talents to the full: his sound judgment, his careful planning and attention to detail, his consideration of others, his determination to get things done and make hard decisions.

All that he did was with good humour and a readiness to suffer much from the humiliations resulting from his poor health. His last sickness was most painful to him and to those who were close to him, as he did not understand the post-Vatican II Church and the responses of the younger generation. In all his triumphs and pain he was described at his funeral as 'a self-made and self-surrendering man'. John Casey was certainly one of the great men of the Australian province.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)