Michael "Mickey" Casler October 17, 2024 The Unofficial Mayor of Cazenovia, Master of Pipes, and Keeper of the Lakes Michael "Mickey" Shawn Casler, 76, of Cazenovia, NY traded in his wrench for a pair of wings on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Crouse Community Center in Morrisville. He was born August 13, 1948, in Syracuse to Jack and Elizabeth Casler, Mickey spent his life elbows-deep in piping houses and rebuilding cars, especially his beloved tan and gold Camaro. Mickey established Casler Plumbing and Heating in Cazenovia, where he built a reputation for being the guy who could fix anything—except, maybe, a Giants playoff drought. He was a plumber by trade, a storyteller by nature, and a local legend by unanimous vote (okay, maybe not official, but you try telling Mickey that). Beyond his talent with pipes and wrenches, Mickey had a generous spirit. He was a fiercely protective brother, always looking out for his siblings and stepping in when they needed him most. And he never hesitated to offer someone work who needed a second—or even third—chance. Casler Plumbing and Heating wasn't just a place to fix plumbing problems; it was a place where people rebuilt their lives, with Mickey offering a joke or two and a steady paycheck. Mickey also learned American Sign Language (ASL) because he had a deaf daughter. Mickey learned a new language and was able to use it to converse with Erin until the end of his life. As a father, Mickey was patient. He taught all of his kids how to ski and golf when they were toddlers. His patience stretched as his kids grew up, as each of his three children managed to get into a scrape or two along the way. He didn't raise his voice; he rolled his eyes and mostly just grumbled, "Jesus!" Once, he drove out to Toggenberg to rescue his sons, Colin and Michael, after they got stuck in the snow. In yet another unfortunate incident, Mickey's daughter, Erin got behind the wheel of his work van for the first time at 16 and promptly scraped it on the guardrail turning into Welsh Church Road. Mickey didn't yell—he was in the passenger seat and after he flashed Erin a look, "I can't believe you just did that!" Mickey shrugged. "Well," he said, "you're not a real driver until you've dinged something." That was Mickey—more concerned with people than with property and always able to see the humor in a situation. Even though he just absolutely had to say "Jesus!" every time one of his kids did something he didn't approve of. When he wasn't rescuing households from leaky pipes or meeting astronauts, Mickey could be found boating on Tuscarora or DeRuyter Lakes, deer hunting in the backwoods, or yelling at the TV during a Syracuse game. He was an avid golfer, a long-time member of the Cazenovia Country Club, and the guy who somehow always knew your cousin's neighbor's dog's name, especially if it was a black lab. Twice, while out on the course, Mickey did what most golfers only dream about—he teed off, hit the ball, and watched it fly straight and true… right into the hole. A hole-in-one. Just like that. No fanfare, no bragging—well, okay, there was definitely bragging. For weeks. Possibly months. It became known locally as "The Shot Heard 'Round the 19th hole." And Mickey, of course, claimed it was "just skill… and a little wind." Mickey is survived by his children, Erin Elizabeth (Paul) Harrelson of Washington D.C., Colin Michael Casler (Mollie McQurk) of Windsor, CT, and Michael Joseph (Colleen) Casler of Cazenovia—each of whom inherited a piece of his stubborn spirit and his plumbing vocabulary (for better or worse). He also leaves behind his sister, Jacki Flatt of Verona Beach; brothers, Donnie (Cathy) Casler of Erieville and Larry Casler of Beaufort, SC. Mickey is also a survivor of two ex-wives, Mary (Moriarty Casler) Kurlick of Windsor, CT and Patricia Stevens Casler, of Cazenovia. Mickey's legacy continues in his children, nieces, nephews, friends and exes who still chuckle at his jokes and can't quite believe he's not just out fixing someone's water heater. Or hiding out in his boat on DeRuyter Lake. Per his wishes (and possibly a quiet agreement with the universe), there were no calling hours or services. Instead, we invite you to honor Mickey's memory by joining family and friends at Lakeside Park in Cazenovia on August 9, 2025, at noon, around what would have been his 77th birthday. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mickey's name may be made to the Tioughnioga Lake Preservation Foundation, P.O. Box 476, DeRuyter, NY 13052, or online at www.foundationatderuyterlake.org. Condolences for the Casler family may be left at www.michaelebrownfuneralservices.com. And if you listen closely on a quiet morning, out on DeRuyter Lake, you just might hear him say, "Lefty-loosey, righty-tighty… and don't forget to shut off the main. Jesus!"