OBITUARY-LAWRENCE C. CASEY

On October 4 ^th , 2019 Lawrence C. Casey (Larry) passed away at the age of 86.

Larry was born on December 12, 1932, in Long Beach, CA to Alice and Joe Casey.  After graduating from high school, Larry joined the US Navy and was stationed on Midway Island.  After serving his country, he earned a degree in Accounting from Woodbury College.  Larry worked for the California Equalization Board and as Director of Finance for Montclair, CA.  Finding accounting rather boring and watching more interesting facets of local government all around him, he returned to college and received a degree in business administration from California State Polytechnic University.

Larry developed a passion for city management and enjoyed an illustrious and impactful career in that field for over 35 years.  He became an Administrative Assistant in the City of Alhambra, CA, and Assistant City Manager for the City of Palm Springs, CA.  It was in Palm Springs that Larry met with celebrities including Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, Chuck Connor, and Frank Sinatra. But alas it was time to get the top job and Larry was hired City Manager of Klamath Falls, OR.

Around the same time, Larry was introduced to Miami, and he fell in love with the Florida Keys.  He quickly turned his sights on City Manager openings in South Florida.  In 1971, Larry and his family moved from OR to North Miami, FL where he had been hired for the position of City Manager. While managing North Miami, Larry received his Master of Science in Management degree from Florida International University and helped the school in establishing a Public Administration program.  He also taught undergraduate classes at the university Larry considers one of his notable accomplishments the issuance of regulation in the early '90s that stated no job vacancy would be filled by any candidate that could not sign an affidavit that he/she had not smoked for at least a year before the interview for employment. This was challenged in the Courts and the policy was upheld in the City's favor after the Florida Supreme Court did not give it review. Larry appeared on NBC's Today Show to present the City's reasons for instituting the policy and made quite a name for himself nationally among other City administrators. At the time of his retirement in 1996 after 25 years as City Manager of North Miami, Larry was the longest-tenured City Manager in the State of Florida. At that time, Larry and his wife Carol retired to Stuart, FL.

Larry was an exceptional leader known for his unyielding integrity, his infectious sly smile and his kind and compassionate spirit. Besides his family, he loved boating, fishing, diving and watching sunsets in Key Largo; and the "brothers-in-law" annual fishing trip to Everglades National Park.  A highlight in his life was his trip from Nice, France to Athens, Greece aboard the private sailboat of a dear friend.

Larry is survived by his wife of 18 years, Carol, his four children Bill, David, Katie, and Kelly, Carol's two children, Mike and Kelly and his much loved grandchildren Samantha, Lauren, Jack, and Jonathan.  He also had a special relationship with Carol's large family who loved him dearly.

Larry will be so missed by his family and friends.

A memorial service followed by burial will be held at Forest Hills Memorial Park at 12:30 P.M., on Thursday, October 10, 2019. In lieu of flowers, please visit alz.org to donate in memory of Larry Casey.