Flags will be flown at half staff across Florida to honor the life and legacy of Representative Joseph Casello
Florida – Florida leaders and residents are paying tribute to Representative Joseph Casello, who passed away on July 18, 2025, at the age of 73. In his memory, Governor’s orders call for the United States and Florida flags to be flown at half-staff on Wednesday, August 20, at the State Capitol in Tallahassee and at all public buildings and grounds throughout Palm Beach County. The gesture is meant to recognize a man who devoted his life to service in many forms—military, firefighting, and public office.
Casello’s career path reflected a lifelong commitment to his community and his country. Long before his election to the Florida House of Representatives, he spent more than three decades working as a firefighter in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts. He also served honorably in the United States Air Force in the early 1970s as a Non-Commissioned Officer. Those who knew him often pointed out that his dedication to protecting others—whether on the frontlines of emergencies or through legislative action—defined his character.
After relocating to Florida, Casello turned his focus to local government. He served as a City Commissioner in Palm Beach County for five years, where he earned a reputation as a hands-on leader who was willing to listen to residents and push for practical solutions. In 2018, voters elected him to the Florida House of Representatives for District 90, a seat he would hold until his death in 2025. Over nearly seven years in Tallahassee, Casello worked on legislation that touched on community safety, infrastructure, and support for working families.
His passing leaves a noticeable gap in the halls of state government, but also in the neighborhoods and towns where he was a familiar figure. “Representative Casello spent his career committed to public service, and he will be remembered for his dedication to improving his community,” the Governor’s statement read. Those words echo what many in Palm Beach County already knew—that Casello’s approach to politics was rooted in the same sense of duty he carried as a firefighter and airman.
On August 20, flags across the state will hang lower than usual, a visible reminder of the loss of a man who gave so much to the people he represented. From sunrise to sunset, the half-staff tribute will extend from the Florida Capitol to government buildings, schools, and installations throughout Palm Beach County. The solemn display is a tradition reserved for moments of collective mourning, symbolizing gratitude and respect for those who dedicated their lives to service.
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Representative Casello leaves behind a legacy of leadership that spanned firefighting, military service, local government, and state politics. For his colleagues in the Legislature, he will be remembered as a steady and principled voice. For his community, he will remain a symbol of what it means to live a life guided by service, humility, and duty.
