Michael Casey H81 (d2023) – K81

Michael T. Casey of Saratoga Springs died on August 22nd as the result of injuries sustained in a tragic bicycle accident. He was 63.Michael’s family was the center of his universe. He leaves behind his life partner, Janet Galligani Casey, to whom he was married for 36 years, as well as his two children, Liam Casey of Astoria, NY and Fiona Casey of Malden, MA. They are shattered by their loss but remind themselves that Michael’s last moments of awareness were spent on a bike, doing something he loved. Michael lived life with optimism, humor, intellectual curiosity, and enormous energy. He was well known among his family and friends for his intensity: when he decided to do something, he was all in. He was an outdoor enthusiast who loved to bike, hike, snowshoe, and kayak; an accomplished baker and cook; a voracious and wide-ranging reader; and an ardent Boston sports fan. He was also a lifelong lover of music and patron of the local arts scene; he and Janet were regulars at Caffe Lena, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and the Arthur Zankel Music Center, among other venues. In recent years they purchased a cottage in the Adirondacks, where Michael threw himself into property improvements and relished lakeside vacations with his family and close friends, the Lachance-Laubers. He was always up for another dinner party, another golf outing, another hike with Liam, or another Celtics game with Fiona; his circle could count on him for the best wine and whiskey, and for lively conversation and storytelling. He commented frequently that his life was blessed.Michael approached his career with similar passion and with integrity. He graduated from Harvard University in 1981 and initially worked for the Boston Publishing Company, co-authoring two books in The Vietnam Experience series. Shortly after moving to Baltimore in 1987 he became an Advancement professional, beginning at the Baltimore Museum of Art and eventually settling in academia. Early positions at Franklin & Marshall College and Wesleyan University led to his lengthy role as Collyer VP for Advancement at Skidmore College (2000-17). At the time of his death he was in his seventh year as VP for Advancement at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. Michael dedicated himself to mentoring others in the field, and kept in regular contact with colleagues far and wide. He also believed strongly in the importance of community and volunteered his time and expertise to various organizations and civic groups in Saratoga Springs, including Saratoga ArtsFest, the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs, the Saratoga Regional YMCA, and the Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau.In addition to Janet, Liam, and Fiona, Michael is survived by his brother Ned (Manda) of Morgantown, KY and sister Mary of Cambridge, MA. He was predeceased by his brother Joseph (Ellie) of East Dennis, MA. He is also survived by many loving extended family members in his and Janet’s families.Michael was thoughtful and deliberate about philanthropy in both his personal and professional lives. The family suggests that donations in his name be made to any of the following: financial aid programs at Trinity College or Skidmore College; Caffe Lena; or Protect the Adirondacks.A celebration of Michael’s life will be held sometime in the fall. https://www.lastingmemories.com/michael-t-casey

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August 23, 2023

Dear Members of the Trinity Community,

It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you that Vice President for Advancement Michael Casey died last night. He did not regain consciousness after sustaining serious injuries in a bicycle accident on August 6. Please join me in wishing our deepest love and condolences to his wife, Janet, and his two children, Liam and Fiona.

A smart, strategic leader, Michael was a consummate professional and expert in the fields of fundraising, alumni engagement, and institutional planning. His work deserves the highest accolades. His strategic vision brought Trinity to where we are today: at the eve of the public phase of the All In capital campaign during Trinity’s Bicentennial year. During his tenure here, he skillfully led the Advancement team through the uncertainties of the pandemic. He also made huge strides in alumni engagement by conducting and learning from two alumni surveys that demonstrated progress and programmatic growth. He steered the planning of and orchestrated the largest capital campaign in Trinity’s history, which he always said was a fitting tribute to the deep levels of commitment and pride within the Trinity community. It is appropriate that one of Michael’s last community efforts was the wildly successful Alumni Bicentennial Celebration in June that featured dynamic speakers, world-class entertainment, and fireworks. Michael was profiled in the Hartford Business Journal last year for his efforts in leading Advancement at Trinity.

Michael came to Trinity in June 2017 after nearly three decades of leadership at three other liberal arts institutions: Franklin & Marshall College, Wesleyan University, and Skidmore College. He was dedicated to the mission of each institution because he so deeply valued a liberal arts education and recognized his obligation to make a difference for future generations of students. As a first-generation student, Michael majored in Irish history and literature and earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University. His life’s work made it possible for so many students and alumni to benefit from a high-quality, deeply personalized, broad education.

When I think of Michael, I will always hold dear his “all in” spirit, keen intelligence, good humor, and sense of human decency. And who could forget his expansive knowledge of movies, love of music, and supremely on-pitch whistling? Whenever I would ask Michael how he was doing, he often would smile and say, “Fabu!” He was a dear colleague whom I will remember fondly, with a deep sense of gratitude for having known him.

Plans to celebrate Michael’s life and legacy are forthcoming. At this moment, please hold the Casey family in the light of love and goodness.

Sincerely,

Joanne Berger-Sweeney
President and Trinity College Professor of Neuroscience

https://www.trincoll.edu/president/letters-to-the-community/a-tribute-to-michael-casey/

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Dear Skidmore Community,

I write to share the very sad news that Michael Casey, a highly respected and accomplished fundraising executive who served Skidmore with wisdom and compassion as Collyer Vice President for Advancement from 2000-2017, died August 22 following a bicycle accident earlier this month.

Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Michael’s wife, Janet Casey, associate dean of the faculty and professor of English at Skidmore; his children Liam and Fiona; and his many friends and colleagues across campus, in Saratoga Springs, at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and beyond.

Michael, who served Skidmore’s Advancement division for 17 years and was a member of the College’s senior leadership team, led an exemplary career in advancement at multiple prestigious institutions. Until his death on Tuesday, Aug. 22, he was vice president for advancement at Trinity, where he executed the largest capital campaign in that college’s history.

During his tenure at Skidmore, the College raised more than a half-billion dollars for a range of initiatives, including construction of the Arthur Zankel Music Center. He also secured support for financial aid and academic programs including 15 endowed chairs and the John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative (MDOCS), as well as facilities and athletics and student affairs initiatives.

Colleagues in our Advancement division and from across campus noted Michael’s endearing collegiality, warmth, humor, and brilliance, as he partnered with faculty and other community members for Skidmore’s future.

President Emeritus Philip A. Glotzbach expressed, “I am profoundly grateful to Michael Casey for generously helping a new President come to know the extended Skidmore community and get up to speed on fundraising. But in addition to his broad and deep expertise in advancement, Michael brought to the Cabinet an insightful and critical strategic mind. Always keeping the larger institutional picture in sight, he invariably pushed me and his administrative colleagues to envision the Skidmore we wanted to create. I also will fondly recall his wit and ability to recite lines from almost any movie one could name. His curious and wide-ranging intellect truly made him a Renaissance man. I will sorely miss the pleasure of his company.”

“In addition to the experience and talent that Michael brought to his work as a fundraiser and connector of people to each other and the College, I will always be grateful for the kindness, wisdom, humanity, good humor, and amazing baking that he shared with me and members of our Advancement team,” said Lori Eastman ’87, associate vice president of advancement. “I have heard from current and past friends and colleagues, who have all talked about Michael being an extraordinary source of strength and encouragement, a true one of a kind, who will be remembered and missed by all of us.”

From 2004 to 2010, Michael oversaw Skidmore’s Creative Thought. Bold Promise campaign, which raised $216.5 million. He also oversaw the launch of Skidmore’s most recent campaign, Creating Our Future: The Campaign for Skidmore, and helped raise $132.5 million toward the campaign’s $229.4 total. He participated in the creation of several important volunteer support organizations, such as the Friends of Skidmore Athletics and the President’s Advisory Council. He also played a lead role in the 2001 crafting and development of the College’s highly appropriate motto “Creative Thought Matters.”

Michael came to Skidmore from Wesleyan University’s advancement office following roles at Franklin and Marshall College and the Baltimore Museum of Art.

A first-generation student, Michael earned a degree in Irish history and literature from Harvard University in 1981. He was also deeply involved in the Saratoga Springs community and served on the boards of the Waldorf School, the Convention and Tourism Bureau, SaratogaArtsFest, and Saratoga Regional YMCA.

Former Chair of the Board of Trustees Sue Thomas ’62 shared that she and Michael worked closely together for all of his years at Skidmore. “We supported each other through many endeavors and I always appreciated his leadership and wise perspective on issues. He was a talented Skidmore VP for Advancement, an ambitious fundraiser, a dedicated Skidmore administrator, and a joy to work with. His fine values, wisdom, breadth of knowledge, humility, charm, humor, love and respect for others was what made him the beloved person we all knew. We have lost a truly dear friend.”

I am heartbroken for Michael’s family and for all who have lost a dear friend and colleague. Plans to honor his life are forthcoming. In the meantime, community members are invited to reflect on Michael’s legacy online. On behalf of our entire Skidmore community, I extend our deepest condolences to Janet, Liam, and Fiona; Michael’s colleagues and friends; and all whose careers and lives have been touched by Michael’s kindness, sincerity, and work for Skidmore.

Sincerely,

Marc C. Conner
President

https://www.skidmore.edu/president/posts/2023/0824-in-memoriam-michael-t-casey.php