John F. Casey III

John F. Casey III, a Sewickley resident and political consultant who steered successful campaigns for Republican candidates, died of a heart attack Dec. 22. Born Sept. 10, 1945 in Pittsburgh, Mr. Casey was a graduate of St. Paul Cathedral school in Pittsburgh, Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, OH and the University of Pittsburgh.

He was the grandson of Pittsburgh industrialist John F. Casey and the eldest of three children of John F. Casey, Jr. and Margaret Nee Casey. He was preceded in death by his half-sister, Marjorie Casey Wolff. 

Casey lived in Sewickley throughout the 1980s and moved back to the community in 2004. He was formerly a consultant for the Republican Party. His successful campaigns included those of the late Pennsylvania Sen. John Heinz, former Allegheny County Commissioner Barbara Hafer, and Raul J. Valdes-Fauli of Coral Gables, FL.

He also worked in the nonprofit industry for the betterment of his neighbors and the less fortunate. His most recent employers included Community Auto and North Hills Community Outreach. John, like his grandfather and father, was a faithful Catholic and had a decency and community consciousness that would be welcome in the makeup of more of our fellow citizens.

John is survived by his brother, William Lee Casey of Pittsburgh, and his sister, Dr. Sara Gibbs Casey of Sewickley. He is also survived by two  nephews Alexander Blaine Griffith of Sewickley and Burlton Odell Griffith II of Pittsburgh; a niece, Shannon Casey Kane ( David) of Palm Beach, FL; and two grandnephews, William Casey Kane and Scott David Kane.

His family also includes a stepson, Raymond Saá Stein of New Jersey. Funeral arrangements are through . Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Saint Mary Church, 444 Glenfield Road, Glenfield, Aleppo Township.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Casey's family requests that donations be made in his name to a charity of the donor's choice.