Casimir Andrusz

Andrusz, Casimir E. "Casey" MADISON Casimir Eugene "Casey" Andrusz, died peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at HospiceCare in Fitchburg. He was born just weeks before the Great Depression, on Sept. 1, 1929, in Chicago, Ill., in the now trendy neighborhood of Bucktown. At the time, it was a Polish-American enclave. Casey was an alter boy for St. Marys of the Angels Catholic Church in Chicago for many years. He always credited his success to his positive experiences with the priests at the church. He grew up playing stick ball in the street, making his toys out of scraps, and helping out in his grandmothers tavern, where he recalled binging often on orange soda. He was there when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and recalled having to crank up the volume before anyone would believe what that kid was saying he heard on the radio. He met Adeline Sharapata at a Catholic Church social and they married Sept. 23, 1950. They were soon blessed with children, Doris and Steve. The family moved to the east side of Madison in 1963, where daughter Kathy was born, and where they remained for the rest of their lives. Casey had a long and successful career in sales, working for various companies until retiring from Penn Tennis and Racquetball in 1988. A consummate salesman always making the sale, always making his quota, and somehow always making it home a day early, preferring to finish the paperwork at home. Casey often brought home mementos of his travels and the best jokes and stories from the conventions. After retirement, he served as a handyman and store Grampa at Burnies Rock Shop for a number of years. Casey was an avid reader, past president of the Madison Lapidary Club where he organized the Gem and Mineral show in Madison, and enjoyed gardening and home improvement. He and wife Adeline took many rock hounding trips and enjoyed spending the winters in Quartzite, Arizona. In later years he was occupied with the loving care of Adeline until her death on Dec. 19, 2006. He is survived by his children, Doris Andrusz (Steve Sololsky) of Richmond, Calif., Steve Andrusz (Joan) of Madison, Kathy Andrusz (John Surrell) of Stoughton; grandchildren, Miranda and Jolie Andrusz and Jude Surrell; a brother, Dan Andrusz of Chicago, Ill.; and numerous relatives, friends, and neighbors. Casey loved a perfectly-poured glass of lager beer, good conversation, and being surrounded by his family. He took special pride in his granddaughters, Miranda and Jolie, and delighted in seeing his infant grandson, Judes face light up with a smile whenever he saw his Grampa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, at noon. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday, from 10 a.m. until the time of service.