Don M. Casey

Don Michael Casey, age 74, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Milwaukee on February 8, 1952, to James John and Betty Jane (nee: Berrend) Casey.

Don graduated from Custer High School and went on to Carroll College, planning to become a science teacher. While in school, he worked at Arby’s Roast Beef Restaurants, eventually moving up to Manager and Operations Supervisor. His life changed forever when the franchise was purchased by Franchise Management Corporation (FMC), and Don was transferred to Pittsburgh and promoted to Director of Training for the Pittsburgh and Milwaukee markets. He was proud of the training program he developed for Arby’s but was also fond of telling stories about his experiences developing training for FMC’s other concepts, Samurai Japanese Steak Houses and Tequila Junction Mexican Restaurant. Following the sale of FMC, Don became an independent Arby’s franchisee, owning and operating two restaurants in Madison. Don’s restaurant legacy included the ongoing development of Arby’s franchisees and operational executives.

In 1992, Don sold his restaurants and returned to his original passion for teaching. Having never stopped pursuing his education since 1970 while at Carroll University, UW-Milwaukee, and Duquesne University, he decided to attend UW-Whitewater full-time to become a teacher, eventually earning a master’s degree. While in school, he juggled “Mr. Mom” duties for his two daughters, while Donna worked full-time. Don became a high school business teacher, but it soon became clear that his true calling was helping students who were at risk of not graduating from high school. With the help of a mentor and a team of teachers who became family, Harvey Phillip Alternative Charter School was founded, focusing on non-traditional learning methods. The number of lives he touched and changed during his time there is a testament to his true and kind character. Even after retirement, former students were delighted when they saw him and proud to tell him about their accomplishments.

While that might seem like a lot to achieve in one lifetime, he also founded Casey’s House of Hostas, a booming business selling plants from his home. In his later years, his creativity expanded to making concrete art; from planters and obelisks to gnomes and then just about any animal you could think of. He joined the Waukesha Farmer’s Market to sell both his plants and then his ever-increasing inventory of concrete creations.

Other interests included backpacking in his early years, faithfully attending annual family deer hunting gatherings, researching genealogy, and scuba diving. He dove the entire lake of Okauchee, amassing one of the “greatest collection of inland anchors,“ as he liked to say. He was an avid reader, seemingly remembering everything he read. He knew every twist and turn of The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars and was a match for anyone in a spirited discussion about either. Don found joy in feeding others, cooking more yummy food than one could eat. His holiday meals will be greatly missed as well as the best gravy ever.

In 1975, Don married the love of his life, Donna. They set off at a young age on a journey that spanned 51 years of marriage. Their life together included numerous domestic and international trips with dear friends. Don especially enjoyed historical destinations, and he accomplished his bucket list. Together they were blessed with a loving family and many lifelong friends. Don took great pride in his daughters, Tiffany and Lauren and welcomed son-in-law Max into the family with enthusiasm. His face lit up whenever his grandsons entered the room. He often commented, as he sat in front of his fireplace, on what a lucky man he was.

To say Don was unique is an understatement. His intellect, generosity and sometimes zany sense of humor made him a mentor to many and memorable to countless others.

Don is loved and will be sadly missed by his wife, Donna (nee: Grosskopf) Casey, their two daughters, Tiffany Casey and Lauren (Maxwell) Anderson. He is the proud “G-pa” to his three grandsons James, Finn, and Jasper Anderson. Don is also survived by his mother Betty Casey and sister Jean (John) Coloso; brother-in-law, Dean (Kathy) Grosskopf; aunts, Helen Brazeau-Casey, Pat Berrend, Jean Berrend; nieces and nephews, Dean (Beth) Grosskopf, Dan (Sara) Grosskopf, Dale (Kalin) Grosskopf, Gary, Grant, and Graden Grosskopf, Sara (Pat) Cliff, Jim (Haley) Coloso, Anne Coloso; great-nieces and nephews, Robin and Nolan Grosskopf, Clara and Eve Grosskopf, Adler and Vera Grosskopf, Connor and Paige Cliff, Jack Coloso, Cora, Jude and Sage Kielisch. He will be missed by many cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father James Casey and brother Alan Casey.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Randle-Dable Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186. Visitation starting at 2:00 PM and the memorial service will begin at 3:30PM. Come with your “Don stories.” There will be time for sharing.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Waukesha Food Pantry (https://waukeshafoodpantry.networkforgood.com) would be appreciated.