Anthony G. "Tony" Casale

After a long and courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis, Anthony "Tony" G. Casale of Mohawk, NY passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, September 26, 2024, at Wynn Hospital. At the time of his passing, he had the love and support of his family at his side.

Tony was born in Herkimer on March 12, 1935, to Edo and Margaret (Piscione) Casale. He graduated from Herkimer High School with the class of 1953 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly thereafter. In the Navy, he was a proud member of the United States Naval Construction Battalions (Seabees) and was honorably discharged in 1957. The Seabee experience launched a carpenter and construction career that Tony pursued throughout the rest of his life. On November 5th, 1955, he married Joyce Schrader, and they partnered in life for the next 68 years.

As far as we know Dad never took a vacation, in fact, Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas were about the only holidays he recognized. Every other day of the year was a chance to work. He started out working for his uncle, Ralph Piscione, learning carpentry and building concrete silos. He had some good stories of those early days and benefited much from his uncle’s knowledge and experience. Following this, he became a foreman for Joseph A. Volo trucking and traveled throughout the state supporting highway construction projects from Wellesley Island in the St. Lawrence River down to Rt. 88 to Binghamton. When the trucking company ceased operations, he joined the Harrison & Burrows Bridge Construction company, until his retirement.

Having a full-time job left some nights and weekends, and retirement left a whole lot of free time for Dad to work his other projects. He had a passion for roofing and there are many examples of his work around the area. No job was too big or too small and he even replaced some roofs a second time, after their 25-year shingles began to fail. If he needed a shed or a barn, he built it. He bought houses and refurbished them as rentals. When we bought houses, he renovated them for us, sometimes after a complete ‘gut’ job. Dad was a hard man, but he was also a loving, devoted father, grandfather, uncle and friend; ready to lend his skills and experience to help those he cared for. If he wasn’t on a ladder or sawing or hammering, and it wasn’t raining, you would find him mowing his extensive and beautiful lawn. If conditions required it, he’d mow twice a week, wearing out a couple of John Deere tractors in the process.

Tony is survived by his wife and partner Joyce and their three children, Tony Casale (Amy) of Tryon, NC, Kimberly Driscoll (partner Jim) of Mohawk and Joeseph Casale (Suzanne) of Clifton Park; grandchildren Amanda Cash (Matt) of Salem, VA, Tony Casale (Sarah) of Mills River, NC and Brett Driscoll (Kate) of Mohawk; great-grandchildren Luella Casale, and Emelia and Travis Driscoll; brothers Joe and George (Peggy), many nieces and nephews, and his best canine friend ever, Reva. He was pre-deceased by his parents, sisters Francis Rando and Marianne Ray, and sister-in-law Frannie Casale.

Per Tony’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or memorial services at this time. The family will plan a celebration of life around the interment, in the spring of 2025. In memory of Tony please consider a donation to the Herkimer County Humane Society at 514 State Route 5S Mohawk, NY 13407. His funeral arrangements are under the direction and care of Mohawk Valley Funerals and Cremations, 7507 State Route 5, between St. Johnsville, 315-508-5131.