Obituary: Ronald Nelson Casey, 74, of Guilford

Obituary courtesy of Guilford Funeral Home:

Ronald Nelson (Ron) Casey died at home peacefully in Guilford, CT on January 1, 2021 after waging a gallant struggle with cancer. He was 74. Ron and his wife, Barbara, lived in Guilford for 35 years. Besides Barbara, he is survived by his sister LuAnne and husband David as well as nieces, Mindy Liles and her son Dalton, and Melody Wills (Mark) and her children Ashlyn and Matthew.He was a devoted Dad and Papa to his stepson, Jeremy (Debra) and children Michael and Danielle, and Dawn (Dean) Turner and children, Alicia, David, KateLynn and Tina. Many friends and colleagues mourn him as well.

Born in Raleigh, NC to Robert Nelson Casey and Vivian Williams Casey, both now deceased, he spent his childhood in Durham NC before attending the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He maintained a lifelong love and devotion to Carolina and was an active alumnus up until his death. Ron could be seen watching every UNC game with his basketball and cap on. He ‘bled Carolina blue’ in March of every year.

After graduating with a BA in psychology, Ron entered Officer Candidate School in Virginia for preparation for a tour of duty in Vietnam where he would spend 6 months. Upon return, he began graduate school at the University of Massachusetts earning his doctorate in Psychology in 1979. After an internship at Mt Zion Hospital and Medical Center in San Francisco, he made his way back to Ct and post graduate life. He worked for several nonprofits before entering private practice in Madison and Glastonbury and beginning his career with the Department of Psychiatry at Yale University as Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry in 1980. At Yale he was a beloved supervisor and mentor to predoctoral psychology fellows continuously until his death.

Ron was a devoted Episcopalian and man of faith. He was the inspiration behind, and the Director of, the Clergy Family Assistance Program of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut as well as Consulting Psychologist there for 38 years. As such, he provided compassionate and confidential pastoral care and mental health services to countless clergy and their families across Connecticut for decades.

Ron and Barbara are active members of Trinity Church on the Green in New Haven and both have served in a multitude of diocesan roles and responsibilities. The Episcopal Church in Connecticut has lost a dear friend and colleague with Ron’s death.

Ron previously worked with the Center for Creative Leadership’s leadership development programs. In this role he provided consultation and coaching to executives, managers and other leaders from a wide range of professional settings. Ron was the consulting psychologist to the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and directed a program of psychological services for the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ. From 2005 to 2019 he was also a member of the faculty of CREDO, a national program that offers week-long wellness conferences for Episcopal clergy. As the faculty member responsible for psychological health issues, Ron made presentations, led workshops and provided consultation to conference attendees. Ron had worked the Church Pension Group (CPG), CREDO's parent organization, as the psychological health faculty member for CPG's two-day Planning for Wellness conferences for Episcopal clergy. He has also taught at the Episcopal College for Bishops for the National Episcopal Church.

He loved Americana music, white water canoeing and kayaking and gardening at home. Ron was an active outdoor guy. With his friend Lee and over a span of 20 years, he hiked all 48 of the 4000 ft mountains in the Northeast. Yale football was another passion and he could be found tailgating at home games for over 30 seasons as well as down at Mory’s to celebrate victories. Ron was a devoted mentor in the Guilford School system as well as a faithful member of the Breakfast Club of friends who met biweekly. He will be missed by many.

A private service streamed live from Trinity on the Green, in New Haven (https://www.trinitynewhaven.or... ) will be held on Thursday, January 7 at 11 AM. Burial will be private with full military honors. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Chapel on the Green, Trinity on the Green PO Box 8326, New Haven, CT 06530;( https://onrealm.org/TrinityOnG... )