Daniel James Casey, 73, of Port Charlotte, Florida passed away Sunday, June 30, 2024 at HCA Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte.

Casey was born to Harold and Anita Casey on August 17, 1950 in New Bedford, MA. Dan was a retired US Navy Submariner veteran of over 20 years of service. Shortly after retiring from the Navy, Dan moved to Florida to be closer to his parents. One day, while spending time with his friend Jeff Gerring and watching Jeff’s wedding video, Dan noticed a long-haired woman who captured his attention. Curious about her, Dan asked Jeff for more information. Jeff later shared Araceli’s contact details, and what began as a simple exchange of letters evolved into a profound and heartfelt correspondence. Over the course of two years, long before the days of the internet and social media, Dan and Araceli exchanged numerous love letters, gradually getting to know each other through their written words. After two years of being pen pals, Dan decided to take a significant step and visit Araceli in Bahrain. Their connection in person proved to be as strong as it had been on paper, leading Dan to bring Araceli to the United States as his fiancée. Together, they began building a life filled with love and mutual respect. Araceli had two children from her previous marriage, Andrea and Victor, who later moved in with Dan and Araceli to their home in Port Charlotte. Dan embraced his role as a stepfather with enthusiasm and dedication, becoming deeply involved in raising Andrea and Victor. He played a crucial role in shaping them into strong-minded young adults, guiding them through the challenges of middle school, the complexities of college, and the nuances of adult life. Dan also offered practical advice, particularly on car choices. He’d often say, “Stay away from Ford. Do you know what Ford stands for? “Found On the Road Dead,” followed by a hearty chuckle. Despite their political view differences, Daniel shared a keen interest in guns, martial arts, and swords with his stepson Victor. The two bonded over these shared interests, strengthening their relationship. Both Victor and Andrea would often refer to their dad as a walking encyclopedia or the original version of Alexa. They knew that if they asked Dad one question, he’d answer elaborately, providing detailed history and even research on the matter. Daniel was a very proud dad to all his children. He often mentioned Joey, his business-minded son who took after him. He also spoke fondly of Shannon, his late daughter whom he loved dearly, and who gave him a beautiful granddaughter named Sade. Despite her age, Sade was always his “cupcake,” and she remained Grandpa’s little cupcake. Dan also had a son named Dan, affectionately known as “Dan the Man,” whom he claimed inherited his good looks. Though his stepchildren may not look like him, he often confirmed with his wife Araceli that both Victor and Andrea took after his bold and tactful personality. Having raised them from a young age, many of Daniel’s traits were passed down to them. Daniel would often phone Andrea after she moved to California to tell her, “I do not want you to bring back any ‘Cans’ as my future in-laws,” indirectly referring to Mexicans. Later, he met Carlos, a Salvadoran who became Andrea’s husband. Initially, Dan didn’t bother to learn Carlos’s name for years, but eventually, they became best buds, chatting on Facebook nights on end. Daniel had a profound passion for cars, especially classics and sports cars. After retiring, he ran a successful lawn service business that allowed him to indulge in his love for automobiles. Over the years, he built an impressive collection, including a Plymouth Road Runner, several Chevy Corvettes, a yellow convertible Mustang, and a Lincoln Town Car. Each car in his collection was a testament to his hard work and dedication. In his spare time, Daniel loved spending time with his dogs, particularly large breeds such as Bullmastiffs, Neapolitan Mastiffs, and Tosas. His most recent favorite was an Anatolian Shepherd named Shredder. Daniel’s home was always filled with the presence of his beloved dogs, and he couldn’t stand the idea of not having a dog around. Daniel also enjoyed surfing the internet, where he would admire mega-million-dollar mansions. He frequently purchased lotto tickets and daydreamed about which home he would buy once he hit the jackpot. These dreams fueled his imagination and provided a fun escape from everyday life. Daniel was also a happy grandfather to Victor’s son Alexander and took great pride in Andrea for surviving the challenges of living in California and building a successful life of her own. Daniel was not only a loving husband, incredible dad, and sweet grandpa but also a caring son-in-law to Araceli’s 85-year-old mother, Fely, who lived with them. Daniel enjoyed Fely’s daily cooking of Asian dishes. Despite the language barrier, Fely’s great cooking brought her and Daniel closer. Daniel’s life was characterized by love, dedication, and the pursuit of his passions. He was a cherished figure in the lives of those who knew him, leaving a lasting impact through his kindness, wisdom, and unwavering support. His sudden death has left a huge hole in our hearts, and he will be forever missed.

Survivors include his loving wife, Araceli; his daughter, Andria Lazaro; his 3 sons, Daniel Casey, Joseph Casey and Victor Lazaro; his sister, Kathy Netermyer of Port Charlotte; 4 brothers, Stewart Casey, Michael Casey, Glenn Casey and Jeff Casey; several nieces and nephews and his dog, Schreader.

A visitation will be held 2:00PM-3:00PM followed by a funeral service at 3:00PM, Saturday, July 6, 2024 at Roberson Funeral Home Port Charlotte Chapel. Inurnment will be held at a later date by the family.

Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.