Jeremiah A. Carney (aka Jerry, Jeff) passed away on Saturday, August 10 at Lawrence General Hospital after a brief illness.
Born in Andover, MA, he was the son of the late Patrick and Mary Carney. Raised and educated in Andover, he spent 21 years in the military (Army, then Air Force), returned to Andover and served almost 20 years as a U.S. Post Office letter carrier with a walking mail route in downtown Andover.
He enthusiastically joined the Army in 1944 and served in Italy during WWII, awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his combat service. He continued his Army service in post-war liberated Paris where he was a member of the Army basketball team that traveled Europe during the reparations. He was redeployed to the Army Infantry to guard against the Russians during the division of Berlin and the growing Soviet threat.
After leaving the Army, he joined the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant and serving across the U.S., Philippines, and Turkey.
Once he returned to Andover, he was a popular sight as he walked his letter-carrier route in downtown Andover. He was famous for dancing an Irish jig for anyone honking the horn and swatting ‘mosquitos’ in the middle of snowstorms. A 1975 Lawrence Eagle-Tribune article about him tagged Jerry as a letter carrier ‘who knows everyone and they know him,’ calling him ‘a friend of everybody,’ with the possible exception of dogs … well, a few dogs at least.
Known for his never-failing, indestructible sense of humor, he would joke and tease even in the midst of his health issues, quickly becoming a ‘fan favorite’ wherever he went. He always had a story to share and we’d frequently find him surrounded by kids ages 1 to 90+, all enraptured and enjoying his antics.
He and his wife Carolyn spent 28 years wintering in Florida at NALCrest where he often served as Master of Ceremonies for community events.
He loved fishing and was an avid Boston sports fan, especially for the Boston Red Sox, and passed on his love for hockey and the Boston Bruins to his grandchildren.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 69 years Carolyn V. (Volk) Carney; his sons Robert and wife Ruth Carney of Stratham, NH; Kevin and wife Karen Carney of Andover, MA. He was predeceased by his son Patrick Shawn Carney formerly of Andover. He has four grandchildren: Rob Carney and wife Bea Reaud of Nigeria; Monica Carney of Haverhill; Kaitlin Carney of Haverhill; and Kevin (Bronko) and wife Molly Carney of Methuen. He also has six great-grandchildren: Cierra, Kaley, Freddie, Thomas, Declan, and Sean; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
He was predeceased by his 12 siblings: brothers George, John (Pat), Martin, Tucker, Gene, Jim, Dan, Andy, Larry, and Leo; and sisters Rita and Elizabeth.
The family extends heart-felt thanks to the many, many people who helped Jerry through his recent health issues, including Dr. Stephen Galizio of North Andover and his office staff, Andover Firefighters, the staff at Home Health VNA, Lawrence General Hospital (ER and H5), and Wingate at Andover.
He was adored by his family and made an indelible impression on all he met, including his great nephew Zach Saum who currently attends the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Jerry will be dearly missed, though his spirit and smile remain forever in our hearts.
His Funeral Service will be celebrated in the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover on Wednesday August 14, 2019, at 7:00 pm. Calling hours will be held in the funeral home prior to the service from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Andover Firefighters Relief, PO Box 196, Andover, MA, 01810; or St. Jude’s Hospital for Children.