W2JIO Frank Casey SK Jan 18 2012 Albany NY

[K2HAT]

W2JIO Frank Casey SK Jan 18 2012

Frank Casey Albany NY passed away today due to complications from Cancer.

Frank was a Net Control for several traffic nets, including the Capital District Traffic Net, on local 2m/ 440 repeaters
in the Albany area, as well as for the NYSPTEN and other nets.

Frank was blind, but not handicapped in the Amateur radio hobby. I am glad to have known Frank for the last nearly 5 years.

Here is a little info about Franks Vanity call.


It's official! I, now, have a new amateur radio call sign, W2JIO!
In September 1962, I became a student of the New York Institute
For The Education Of The Blind, (now known as the New York
Institute For Special Education), in Bronx, New York. My Radio-
Electronics instructor was a knowledgeable gentleman by the
name of Robert W. Gunderson. Mr. Gunderson or "Gun", as we
called him, held the amateur radio call sign W2JIO. "Gun"was
responsible for me, and several other blind students obtaining
their amateur radio licenses. Unfortunately, he, Mr. Gunderson,
passed away, becoming a "silent key", in the Winter of 1987.
Since that time, I've always wanted the W2JIO call sign. After
FCC rules were modified, allowing licensed amateur radio
operators to modify their call signs, I gave serious consideration
to applying for the W2JIO call sign. Finally, I made the big
move, filing for good old W2JIO. On Saturday, October 11, 2003,
the FCC granted me my request for W2JIO.
Special thanks go to Dave Galletly, KM2O, for mentoring me on
the call sign modification procedure, and my Wife, Kathy,
N2SQY, for assisted me in filing, electronically, for my new
callsign.
Yes, WB2HKU served me well, for many rich years of amateur
radio enjoyment and service. However, the time has arrived to
place WB2HKU in its appropriate place, and place W2JIO in
operation for someone who has an enormous amount of respect
for "Gun", Robert W. Gunderson, the fine gentleman who blazed
the trail for so many blind amateur radio operators.
Best regards,
Frank Casey, W2JIO

http://www.n2ty.org/newsletter/tn1103.pdf


ALBANY- Francis R. “Frank” Casey, 62, died Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at Samaritan Hospital. Born in Albany, NY he was son of the late Thomas and Agnes (Thornton) Casey. He was a graduate of the New York Institute for the Education of the Blind, in the Bronx, NY.
Mr. Casey worked for the Albany County Sheriffs’ Department for 32 years, retiring as a 911 Supervisor in 2001.
He was President of the Capital District Chapter of the American Council of the Blind.
He enjoyed amateur radio “W2JIO”, was an avid fan of the New York Mets and was a weather buff.
Husband of 25 years of Kathy (Wilkens) Casey of Albany; brother of Thomas “Sonny” (Dorothy) Casey of Bohemia, NY, Mary (Charles) Fullam of NJ and the late Patricia Burns; uncle of Nicole Hornsby, James and Timothy Burns; also survived by several grand nieces and nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 8:45 am from the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, Inc., 490 Delaware Ave. thence to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 391 Delaware Ave. where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 am.

Relatives and friends are invited and may also call at the funeral home Friday, January 20, 2012 from 4-7 pm. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to the American Council of the Blind of New York Inc., 104 Tilrose Ave., Malverne, NY 11565 would be appreciated.


http://keenan.ehclients.com/index.ph...casey_frank_r/

Casey,_Frank_R_thumb.JPG


W2JIO SK

73 K2HAT Lee Hatfield Jr

[WB2WIK]

I'm sorry to hear this, but I knew the originial W2JIO in NJ, he was a neighbor of mine and taught me a lot about ham radio.

Bob Gunderson was also blind, and ran a TV repair shop!

Don't ask...

[K2HAT]

W2JIO Frank was an Assistant Net Manager for the Capital District Traffic Net, and will be missed by All who knew him.

Frank was CDTN Net Control normally on Monday evenings.
I did not know Frank was blind until one day he asked if I could read
a NTS traffic message with the ARL Sixty message in long form.
I asked him why, and he said that being blind made it hard for him to use the shortcut versions of the messages,
but if I would read it out, he could use his Braille Writer to get the message.

Many times at the end of the CDTN net Frank would say OK, got to go; Kathy {N2SQY his Wife} has a Cheeseburger ready for me for dinner.


In the Albany NY Times Union there is a Guestbook that can be read and signed if you would like.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tim...8911&fhid=4977

January 19, 2012
To the Casey family,
You have my sincerely condolences. Frank was an amazing guy. One event stands out in my mind, in March 1972 a Mohawk Airliner crashed into a house in Albany and Frank was the County dispatcher. With all the confusion, all the responding units from all over the County, Frank handled it all flawlessly, despite both of his Braille Writers breaking. He did is all from memory, never missing a beat. His sense of humor and steady voice as a dispatcher was a godsend. He was a thorough professional. God bless, Frank, well done.
~
Kevin Lynch,
Clifton Park, New York
|

January 19, 2012
To Kathy and the Casey Family

I am so sorry to hear about Frank.
Many comments are about Frank as a Dispatcher, But my Memories remain
with a true friend that never let his disability stop him from achieving
his goal in life. A great family man
and friend, that taught me more about life and commitment and friendship.
And the Best Dispatcher the Capital District ever had. Love you Frank will
dearly miss you but sure will remember
you when ever I have a cheeseburger my friend.
~
Emmett MacGregor,
Cohoes, New York

January 19, 2012
Kathy. I am so sorry to read about Franks passing in the T.U. We were very good friends for the many years I lived in Colonie. We participated in many Races/Ares meetings at the V.A. I will miss him very much.
I moved to NC 5 years ago and still miss Frank.


Jack Donnelly WA2YBM


January 19, 2012
To Frank's Family...
Frank was "THE" dispatcher for law enforcement, fire departments, and ambulances as far as I'm concerned. Not to mention his way with people on the phone. I'll always remember his voice saying "KEF413" on 39.90 and 39.62 coming through the radio.
~
Mark Jones,
Easton, Pennsylvania

I will miss your wise advice and knowledge Frank.

73 K2HAT Lee

[K2HAT]

I was emailed a few more comments about W2JIO to share.

Thanks for this information. I am sorry to hear this news. Frank was a
long timer on the Net and I always enjoyed seeing him at the Net meetings
and picnics. 73, Harold KD2V


Very sad news. I thank you very much for passing it on.
God Bless Frank
73 Jack WB2GHH

It is hard to lose a friend in this hobby. We who serve NYSPTEN are a like a family. God chose Frank to serve as a "Ham" operator in heaven.
That time will come to us all.
We will cherish the many photos and memories we all shared while Frank with us.
73's Ham K2UCO

I spoke to Frank on the air (NYSPTEN) since June 1980. First met Frank for an eye-ball QSO in 2006. Will miss him a lot. A real gentleman.
He always knew the right words. – Bruce, WA3AFS

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A brick in the "Walk of Hero's" APCO Intl. Headquarters, Daytona Beach FL

In memory of
Frank R. Casey
9-1-1 Supervisor
Albany County, NY

APCO International Telecommunicator of the Year 1995

"You saw with your Mind and Ears"

Atlantic Chapter APCO
~
Officers/Members Atlantic APCO

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