Gary P. "Casey" Jones
1939 - 2018

OLEAN - Gary P. "Casey" Jones, of 112 S. 13th St., Olean, passed away Saturday (May 19, 2018) at Olean General Hospital.

Born June 22, 1939, in Olean, he was the son of the late Patrick and Virginia True Jones. On April 25, 1970, in St. Mary of the Angels Church, he married Bernadette "Dolly" M. Fidurko, who survives.

Casey was a graduate of Olean High School, class of 1957, and served in the United States Army, from 1963 to 1965.

He was a retired district manager of the DeRose Food Corporation; and was a member of St. Mary of the Angels Parish, where he was a longtime usher, for over 50 years.

Casey is probably best known for his sports involvement as a player, manager and official. In 2005, he was a Cattaraugus County Hall of Fame inductee. During his 78 years in Olean, the Cattaraugus County High School Umpire Association president has been involved with local, county and statewide athletics and in city government. He was also president of the amateur football association and vice president of the Referees Association.

Mr. Jones has been the official's assigner for the girl's state basketball tournament; president of the New York State Girls Basketball Association, an Olean Little League and Babe Ruth volunteer; and president of Cattaraugus County Midget Referee Association. He had officiated sports games for charity causes. He served on the Olean Common Council as president and alderman in Ward 6, the zoning board and was the Olean bingo inspector.

Because of all the civic projects and duties he was involved with over the years, the former Mayor Jim Griffin proclaimed Dec. 29, 1999, as Casey Jones Day in the city and he received the key to the city. On March 5, 2009, Casey was awarded the Salute to Olean by the YMCA for outstanding commitment to the community.

Casey was a life member of the Olean Elks Lodge 491 and the Allegany American Legion Post 892.

He was nicknamed "Casey" while still a student at Olean High because of his love for the New York Yankees and admiration for the famed Casey Stengel. He was an avid fan of Notre Dame football. Casey received the Mike Abdo award in 1984, given each year at the City Cup softball tournament.

In addition to his wife of 48 years, he is survived by two sons, Patrick M. Jones of Hinsdale and Chris (Joanne) Jones of Olean; six grandchildren, Isaac, Jackson, Madison, Nicholas, Alex and Amelia; a brother, Michael Jones, and a sister, Vivian Ash, both of Las Vegas; two nephews; and a niece.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by one daughter, Tina Marie Jones; and one granddaughter, Julia Jones.

Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Guenther Funeral Home Inc., 1303 E. State St. A Scripture wake service will be held tonight at 8:30 at the funeral home. Friends are invited to a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Tuesday (May 22, 2018) at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, Olean. The Rev. David Tourville, associate pastor, will be the principal celebrant. Interment will be at the convenience of the family in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, 202 S. Union St., Olean, NY 14760.