Andover — Brother John Joseph Del Casale, O.S.A., was born on August 25, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Joseph and Grazie (Buontempo) DelCasale. He had five brothers and four sisters. He was baptized on October 5, 1947, at Saint Monica Catholic Church, Philadelphia. He attended Saint Monica Parish School and Bishop Neumann High School, Philadelphia.
From 1965 to 1967, he worked at Boeing-Vertol. In 1967, he entered the Province's Brothers Formation Program, at Good Counsel Novitiate, New Hamburg, N.Y., and then at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, N.Y.. On August 27, 1969, he was received as a novice, and after a year at Good Counsel Novitiate, he professed first vows on August 28, 1970. From 1970 to 1974, he lived and worked at the Augustinian Collegiate Seminary, Villanova University and also attended classes at the university. He professed solemn vows on October 13, 1974, at his home parish of Saint Monica, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Brother John was then assigned to Saint John of Sahagun Friary and Archbishop Carroll High School, Washington, DC, where he worked in the school's business office, (1974-1977). From 1977 to 1982, he served at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Bronx, N.Y., in the parish's business office and assisted with liturgical celebrations in the church. From 1982 to 1998, he served at Saint Augustine Friary, Villanova, Pa., as community treasurer, guest master and then prior, (1994-1998). He was the first brother of the province to receive approval from the Vatican's Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life to be prior of a community in which there were clerics. From 1998 to 2000, John was on sabbatical.
In 2000, he was assigned to Saint Augustine Parish Friary, Andover, Massachusetts, where he served in the parish's business office, and from 2002 to 2012, he served as the friary's treasurer and prior. John used his talents to enhance the liturgical and community environments where he served. He also ministered to the elderly members of Saint Augustine Parish, Andover,.
On November 20, 2011, in Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston, John received the Cheverus Medal in recognition of his dedicated service to the People of God in the Archdiocese of Boston. In a letter to Br. John, Sean Cardinal O'Malley, O.F.M., Cap., said: "In consultation with the Auxiliary Bishops and with Pastors throughout the Archdiocese, I have learned of your selfless dedication and commitment and your many contributions to advancing Christ's mission. We are blessed by your service and are privileged to name you for this honor."
While this award is given to individuals who have served the People of God in a distinguished way in the Boston Archdiocese, this award sums up the life and ministry of Brother John in the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova as well. John died on September 20, 2012, in Bryn Mawr Hospital after a battle with brain cancer. May he rest in peace.
ARRANGEMENTS: A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, October 1 at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, Villanova, Pa. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex St., Andover on Monday, October 22 at 7:30 p.m.. Donations in Br. John's name may be made to the Augustinian Retirement Fund, PO Box 340, Villanova, PA 19085.
