On February 26th, an airplane crash in Belize claimed the lives of a young American family.
Michael Casey, 32, of Albany, NY, and his wife, Jillian Schuessler Casey, 32, of Marion , MA, along with their two children, Makayla, 3, and Bryce, 7 months, were killed when their plane, piloted by Sir Barry Bowen, crashed while approaching San Pedro Airport .
Jillian Casey was the daughter of Linda and the late Dr. Peter Schuessler of Marion .
Michael and Jillian were 1999 graduates of St. Michael’s College in Vt. and left for Belize in 2001 to become leaders of the 75-student Community School located in the rain-forest village of Gallon Jug. Mike was the school’s principal in addition to being the 7th and 8th grade teacher. Jill was the 3rd and 4th grade teacher and recently opened a home daycare program. They dedicated their professional lives to educating and improving the lives of the children of Gallon Jug, including raising scholarship funds to send some of their promising students to schools in America.
Mike was a 1995 graduate of LaSalle Institute in Troy, NY where he lettered in varsity hockey. He graduated from St. Michael’s with a dual major in political science and environmental studies. He also earned a master’s degree in education. While working in Belize, Mike became president of World’s Windows, Inc. of Albany, a charity that has ties around the world. The organization focuses on “health education and the creation of self-sustaining communities and empowerment for all people.” Mike was dedicated to his family and to the health and education of the world’s children. He was recently accepted by the State University of New York at Albany to pursue an Advanced Graduate Certificate in the School Building and Leadership Program.
Jillian Schuessler Casey graduated from Bishop Stang High School in 1995 where she played varsity basketball and field hockey. She was a dean’s list student at St. Michael’s, graduating with a B.S. in psychology. “Miss Jill” was cherished by the villagers of Gallon Jug for her grace and her loving heart. The only thing more important to Jill than the health and safety of her village children was the devotion she had for her own children, Makayla and Bryce.
Mike and Jill were married in a garden ceremony on a hillside in Gallon Jug in January, 2006. They shared an adventurous spirit and spent much of their free time hiking, horseback riding, sailing, and exploring the many habitats of Belize. They were both accomplished skiers and shared a love of bird watching, botany, music, and family vacations. They were devoted to their families who had looked forward to their permanent return, with their two beautiful children, to the United States.
Mike Casey leaves his parents, Frank and Penny of Albany, his brothers, Shawn, Chris and Dan, along with his sister Kelly and husband Craig Tynan, with their three children, Casey, 9, Quinn, 5, and Eryn, 9 months. Jill leaves her mother Linda of Marion, her sister Amanda Dodge of Gallon Jug and her husband, Ben, and their 4-month old son, Payson, and her sister, Melissa Schuessler of Providence, RI, her aunt Sally Presbrey of South Dartmouth, her aunt and uncle Ree and Jim Coyman of Ridgefield , CT, and an uncle, Bob Schuessler, of Vero Beach, FL. Jillian was predeceased by her father, Dr. Peter Schuessler, her uncle, Scott Presbrey, and her maternal and paternal grandparents.
A funeral service will be held at 11 A.M., Friday, March 5th at the Wickenden Chapel, Tabor Academy, Marion, MA. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Marion. In addition, a memorial service will be held at Mater Christi Church, Albany, NY on March 8th at 9:30 A.M. Donations can be made to the Gallon Jug Community School Scholarship Fund in memory of Miss Jill and Mr. Mike at the Eastern Bank, 340 Front St., P.O. Box 517, Marion, MA 02738. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.