Obituary of Brian Donald Casey

It is with profound sadness and with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved partner, stepfather, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, neighbour and friend, Brian Donald Casey. He left us too soon when he passed away on June 18, 2025, at the Niagara Falls Hospital at the age of 69, (his favourite number!), leaving behind cherished memories and a legacy of love, laughter and kindness. Brian was born in the Niagara Falls Hospital in 1956.

To many of us, Brian was a quiet source of strength and warmth. He had a unique way of bringing comfort to those around him - whether through his steady presence, his generous heart, or his sense of humour that could lift even the heaviest day.

To those who knew Brian - and there are and were so many over the decades - he will be remembered for his deep love for his friends and family, especially his unwavering devotion to the love of his life, Marina Parkes. He was someone you could always count on - steadfast, sincere, and thoughtful to the core. And, as we all know, fun, fun, fun was the order of the day.

He proudly served over 15 years as a volunteer firefighter with the Fort Erie Fire Department, first at Station 2 and later at Central Fire Station. He was one of the oldest recruits and served with pride until his mandatory retirement at age 65.

Brian’s passions and interests were many: LOUD MUSIC, hockey (Go Leafs!), football (GO BILLS!), skiing, training for and running 14 marathons, golf, gardening, swimming, reading, getaways, and intellectual consumption and discussion.

He will be remembered for his dedication to his craft as a one-of-a-kind painter, known for his extreme precision and skill. He was deeply admired by his clients - people he highly respected, genuinely enjoyed spending time with, and was always happy to help, often with a big smile on his face.

Brian is survived by his devoted partner of over 14 years, Marina Parkes, who Brian gave his heart and soul for the privilege of living and loving together, the gift of being a stepfather to Trevor (Rachael) and his source of pride, granddaughter Tillie (and baby on the way).

Brian is also survived by his three loving siblings who always regarded him as their leader, friend and guide throughout life; Carolyn Kett (Reginald), Michael (Susie) and Stephen (Marianne Tykolis), his brothers-in-law Lou (Gail) Maulucci and John (Kathleen) Maulucci. Brian is survived by his adoring nieces and nephews, Caralee (Mike), grandnephew Charlie and grandniece Ella Grummett, Kelsey Kett (Andrew Gurrisi), Mitchell Kett; Matthew Casey Shelley, Mikayla Tykolis-Horst and Tyler Tykolis-Casey and Carly Casey; Michael (Sylwia) Maulucci, Cara (Kevin), Dylan and Tanner Maulucci, grandnephews Lane and Logan Goulding; rounding off with Brian’s Aunt Mary Lou and his many fondly remembered cousins, living both locally and in Northern Ontario.

Brian was predeceased in death by his grandparents Frederick and Ruth (Plato) Ryan, Cecil and Leila (Sedore) Casey; parents Francis Casey and Barbara (Ryan) Hebbourn, stepfather Richard Hebbourn, step siblings Donna, Rick and Barbara Hebbourn and many of his favourite aunts and uncles.

Visitation will be held at Benner Funeral Services, 1105 Benner Avenue, Fort Erie, on Monday, June 23, 2025 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A funeral tribute service will be held in the Benner Funeral Services’ Chapel at 11:00 am on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Central Firefighters Association, 444 Central Avenue, Fort Erie, ON, L2A 3T6, in honour of Brian’s spirit and compassion as a volunteer firefighter.

We would like to acknowledge and express sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and hospital staff for their compassionate care and guidance. Brian said whenever he had to enter the Niagara Health System, he was always happy with his care, attention and treatment. Thank you.

Though our hearts are broken, we are grateful for the time we had with Brian. His memory will live on in the stories we share, the lives he touched, and the love he gave so freely.

He was our compass, our comic relief, our heart - and always will be. His memory will be a light we carry always.