Former president of the Busselton RSL, Kevin ‘Doc’ Casey sadly passed away on November 11 after battling a short illness.
Doc was a dedicated and loving husband of Kaye, who is in care at William Cary, and a loving and devoted father to Kerry, Sandra and Kelvin, and grandfather of nine children, and four great grandchildren
Doc was born on March 3, 1937 in Katanning to Henry George and Nellie Doreen Casey, the family moved to Perth when he was aged three with his father enlisted in the Army.
At the conclusion of the war, the family remained in Perth and Doc attended Fremantle High School before working at the sugar works and railways.
He married Kaye on November 4, 1961 and had his firstborn Kerry on September 19, 1962.
Doc joined the Royal Australian Air Force in April 1963 aged 25 and underwent six months of training specialising in fire fighting.
Doc was posted to RAAF base in Pearce where he spent the next six years before being transferred to Tindal for two and a half years, then to Point Cook in Victoria.
From 1977 to 1979 he served overseas in Malaysia where the family enjoyed cultural pursuits.
Doc had a distinguished career in the RAAF, rising in rank to warrant officer in November 1980, and earned numerous certificates, including one from the US Air Force as an honour graduate in 1975.
Doc had said the part he most enjoyed working in the air force was the friendships made throughout his career and those remained until his passing.
Doc exited the RAAF on the July 1, 1986 and settled in Rockingham working at Shack Motors in Fremantle in charge of the spare parts division.
He and Kaye moved to Busselton in 2006 having spent many holidays at Siesta Park with the family.
He joined the Busselton RSL Sub Branch in 2006 as a way to meet other servicemen and women. Doc served seven years as vice president and last year was elected as president until ill health took its toll, he made many friends at the RSL, who will all miss his cheerful smile and demeanour.
Many a great time was had when we went out for dinner or coffee, he loved his oysters kilpatrick and Kaye would always give him a thump on the arms whenever he gave her cheek.
Doc sadly passed away on Saturday November 11, with his daughters keeping him company in his final moments.
Our days are poorer for Doc’s passing, but our lives are richer for having known and loved him.