Harold Francis Carey - 1917-2009

My grandfather, Harold Francis Carey, died last week in Connecticut and my family gathered to celebrate a life well-lived and a person who loved deeply and who was, and will continue to be, loved deeply as well. It was a long journey from Richmond to Connecticut for us, and I had the honor, privilege and challenge of presiding at the service along with my cousin who is a Methodist minister. My grandfather was a man of many interests, talents, and gifts, and I miss him a great deal. One of his great loves (along with travel, sailing, music, his family, my grandmother....) was food - and I will be making pilgrimage to a donut shop tomorrow along with three of his great-grandchildren to partake in some good eating.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory!

His obituary appeared in the local paper where two of his children live, Addison County, Vermont:

from the Addison County Independent

Harold Francis Carey
NEWTOWN, Conn. — Harold Francis Carey, 91, of Newtown, Conn., died peacefully at home on Feb. 26. He was born September 25, 1917, the son of Wilbur Watson Carey and Bridget (Hughes) Carey.

He attended Danbury Teacher’s College (now Western Connecticut State College) where he met Ann, his wife of 66 years, and left to serve in the Army during World War II. After the war, he sold textbooks in the state of Washington before returning to Connecticut and opening the Carey Insurance Agency, which he ran until his retirement.

Family says he believed in living life to the fullest and shared his great love of nature through photographs, painting and stories. When his children were young, he took the family camping in New England and New York. In 1963 the family camped around the country, visiting national parks and traveling 10,000 miles in the car. In later years, he traveled to Italy, France, Canada and Ecuador. Until he was 75, he hiked in Austria, Switzerland, Scotland and Greece. According to family, he was equally comfortable skiing a mountain, sailing a lake, reading a book or eating good food, and the biggest joy in his life was spending time with his wife, Ann.

Harry is survived by Ann (Titsworth) Carey; his children, Sas Carey of Middlebury, Jason Carey and wife Carolyn of Cornwall, Julia Carey Petro of Briarcliff, N.Y., Joan Elizabeth Carey and her husband Andrew Baron II of La Plume, Penn., and Thomas David Carey and his wife Patricia Honan Carey of Westport, Conn.; and his sister, Marian Marinelli of Ridgefield, Conn. He leaves 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren

He was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Carey Favreau, and his brother, Arthur Carey.

A celebration of his life was held in Newtown, Conn., on Feb. 28, with his grandson Peter Carey and granddaughter Sara Baron officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or charity of your choice.
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Here's Grandad obliging me by participating in a "magic show" a few decades ago...

Harold Francis Carey

 Harold F. Carey

Owned Carey Insurance Agency

Harold F. Carey, 91, of Newtown, Connecticut, died February 26 at Lockwood Lodge Assisted Living. He was born September 25, 1917, in Danbury, to Wilbur and Bridget Hughes Carey, and married Ann Titsworth, June 27, 1942. Mr.  Carey is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years.

He is also survived by five children, daughters, Sas Carey of Middlebury, Vt., Julia Petro of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., Joan Carey and her husband, Andrew Baron, Jr, of La Plume, Penn., and sons Jason Carey and his wife, Carolyn, of Cornwall, Vt., and Thomas Carey and his wife, Patricia, of Westport; one sister, Marian Marinelli of Ridgefield; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

After attending Danbury Teachers College (now Western Connecticut State University) and serving in the US Army during World War II, Mr Carey owned and operated an independent insurance agency, Carey Insurance Agency in Danbury and later Newtown.

He was an accomplished amateur photographer, painter, voracious reader, and avid hiker. He hiked extensively in Austria, Switzerland, Greece, and Scotland and considered Zermatt, Switzerland, the most beautiful place in the world.

A memorial service was held March 1.

Memorial donations may be made to either the American Heart Association, 1 Union Street, #301, Robbinsville N.J. 08691-4183 or a charity of one’s choice.

The Newtown Bee March 6, 2009

My grandfather, Harold Francis Carey, died last week in Connecticut and my family gathered to celebrate a life well-lived and a person who loved deeply and who was, and will continue to be, loved deeply as well. It was a long journey from Richmond to Connecticut for us, and I had the honor, privilege and challenge of presiding at the service along with my cousin who is a Methodist minister. My grandfather was a man of many interests, talents, and gifts, and I miss him a great deal. One of his great loves (along with travel, sailing, music, his family, my grandmother....) was food - and I will be making pilgrimage to a donut shop tomorrow along with three of his great-grandchildren to partake in some good eating.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory!

His obituary appeared in the local paper where two of his children live, Addison County, Vermont:

from the Addison County Independent

Harold Francis Carey

NEWTOWN, Conn. — Harold Francis Carey, 91, of Newtown, Conn., died peacefully at home on Feb. 26. He was born September 25, 1917, the son of Wilbur Watson Carey and Bridget (Hughes) Carey.

He attended Danbury Teacher’s College (now Western Connecticut State College) where he met Ann, his wife of 66 years, and left to serve in the Army during World War II. After the war, he sold textbooks in the state of Washington before returning to Connecticut and opening the Carey Insurance Agency, which he ran until his retirement.

Family says he believed in living life to the fullest and shared his great love of nature through photographs, painting and stories. When his children were young, he took the family camping in New England and New York. In 1963 the family camped around the country, visiting national parks and traveling 10,000 miles in the car. In later years, he traveled to Italy, France, Canada and Ecuador. Until he was 75, he hiked in Austria, Switzerland, Scotland and Greece. According to family, he was equally comfortable skiing a mountain, sailing a lake, reading a book or eating good food, and the biggest joy in his life was spending time with his wife, Ann.

Harry is survived by Ann (Titsworth) Carey; his children, Sas Carey of Middlebury, Jason Carey and wife Carolyn of Cornwall, Julia Carey Petro of Briarcliff, N.Y., Joan Elizabeth Carey and her husband Andrew Baron II of La Plume, Penn., and Thomas David Carey and his wife Patricia Honan Carey of Westport, Conn.; and his sister, Marian Marinelli of Ridgefield, Conn. He leaves 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren

He was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Carey Favreau, and his brother, Arthur Carey.

A celebration of his life was held in Newtown, Conn., on Feb. 28, with his grandson Peter Carey and granddaughter Sara Baron officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or charity of your choice.
___________________________________________________________

Here's Grandad obliging me by participating in a "magic show" a few decades ago...