Obituary of Casey Matthew McLean II

It is with heavy hearts and great sorrow that we announce the passing of Casey Matthew McLean II (38) of Manlius, NY on February 3, 2025. Casey was born March 27th, 1986, in Syracuse, NY to Casey and Donna McLean.

Casey graduated from Corcoran High school in 2004 where he enjoyed playing lacrosse and was an all-league lacrosse player. Casey went on to study at HCC. Although he had explored other trades, he worked as a painter most of his adult life. 

Casey leaves behind the love of his life, soulmate, and dedicated partner Lori Kermes, his beautiful children, Casey III and Malia. His beloved parents Casey and Donna McLean (Shaffer). His sisters Nicole Panico (Francesco Jr) and Noelani Mclean, brothers Michael Mclean and Michael Paul Jones (MP), along with his many Aunties and Uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind a group of loyal friends that he chose to call family. You know who you are. Casey’s departure leaves an unfillable void in those who knew and loved him. 

Casey’s children were his everything, every day trying to be better for them. Through them, He lives on. Casey and Lori met at Clary Middle School in 1999, became fast friends through school and remained together for over 20 years. Their love story is second to none and lives on in the beauty of their family. 

Casey was proud of his Polynesian Irish heritage, and he could often be seen wearing his Kukui Nut Lei or throwing the shaka . If you saw Casey out, he would have loved to take a shot of Jameson with you! He was the life of the party and was truly a light in a dark room. 

Casey genuinely loved his family and friends to his core; he was a force to be reckoned with and would have put his life on the line for anyone of them. He was a fierce protector of those he loved and often brought people home who needed a place to live, both as an adolescent and in adulthood. His compassion for others led him to be a calming and reassuring presence to everyone around and his glowing aura is a loss to everyone who knew him. 

Blessed with a brilliant mind, Casey challenged himself with the books he read and shared with others. On his eclectic spiritual journey, he studied many religions and their texts such as the Bible, Qur'an, Gita, Tripitaka, Zoroastrianism and others along the way. He also loved history, thrillers, self-help, philosophy and psychology. Casey was an incredible writer, whether it was a poem, a card or a story, his passion could be felt in the works he produced. 

No matter who you are or where you were, you could not help but be drawn to Casey's magnetic energy. With every interaction, there was something to take from it, he was an extremely deep person and turned the most superficial conversation into something meaningful. Casey would always like to remind you to “Live, Laugh, Love”. 

Casey found music to be therapeutic and enjoyed listening to Hip-hop, r&b, alternative rock, classic rock and reggae, depending on his mood. Casey’s passion for music has been passed onto his children, who will continue to feel him through music. 

Casey could be stubborn, at times to a fault, but he was extremely resolute about standing firm on your beliefs. Casey loved the saying “Think for yourself, question authority” - Timothy Leary.  

Casey will forever be missed and remembered for his loving charisma, profound sense of humor, laugh, love for dancing, singing, being silly, the twinkle in his eye when he smiled, his smirk, integrity, authenticity, empathy, vulnerability, honesty and overall good spirit.  

Casey had this ability to uplift people even in times when he couldn't do it for himself. He was a believer in the philosophy that no one is better than anyone else and frequently challenged people “to walk in another's shoes”. He will be remembered for his words of wisdom, spoken to both those who knew him well and some he just met for a moment, and the deep impact that they have had on their lives. 

Casey would love for you to take the time to read the poem “Desiderata”. A gofund me has been put in place to help Lori support their children during this devastating time. https://gofund.me/d460ac73

 There will be a celebration of life at a later date.