John T. (Jack) Carey passed away on Friday, April 6, 2012 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.
Jack was born in Rochester, N.Y. and lived in that area until he retired in 1999. While earning his M.A. in preparation for a career in education, the University of Rochester sent him for practice teaching under the direction of a master teacher, Claire Reitz, later Claire Reitz Carey. The first phase of his working life (1961-1971) was spent teaching at all levels from grade six through graduate school. During those years he also earned his Ph.D. at the University of Buffalo, but a twist of fate enticed him to form his own construction business. Jack was fond of noting that, at retirement 28 years later, he was still serving some of the same customers with whom he began his business in 1971.
During those Rochester years, he and Claire raised a daughter, Anne Cornella (Frank), now of Pittsford, N.Y. and sons Stephen of Honeoye Falls, N.Y., Robert (Kari) of Mt. Vernon, Wash. and Mark (Susan) of Eugene, Ore. Seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild have since arrived. Horses were a big part of life at the family’s mini-farm, and Jack learned some of the joys and trials of farming. Building barns, repairing ancient farm equipment and growing and harvesting hay were new skills he diligently pursued.
Upon retirement, he and Claire moved to the Lake Lanier area of South Carolina, just outside of Tryon. During the “Tryon years,” his life was enhanced by a great variety of interesting, new friends in the Carolinas and by travel with Claire to Europe, Asia, Central and South America. Tryon was chosen because of FENCE and the Tryon Fine Arts Center and Jack became heavily involved with both those organizations, as well as with Habitat for Humanity. He was sorry that his volunteer time at Hospice was so brief, but he treasured the association. Habitat sponsored him for membership in the Second Wind Hall of Fame in 2010, one of his proudest achievements.
Memorials may be made to FENCE, the Tryon Fine Arts Center, Habitat for Humanity, Hospice of the Carolina Foothills or Holy Cross Episcopal Church, where a memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.
Online condolences may be made at www.crowemortuary.com.