SURRY and BAR HARBOR -William Joseph Carey Sr., 67, died Dec. 6, 2011, at his home in Surry. He was born July 1, 1944, in Old Town, son of Francis Vincent and Geneva (Gordon) Carey.
Bill graduated in 1962 from Bar Harbor High School. He attended Husson College the next year and left college to purchase the former Carey’s Variety Store, Bar Harbor, with his wife, Joyce. Bill and Joyce had their four children during the many years they operated the variety store. In 1978, Bill and Joyce purchased Mary Jane Restaurant, Bar Harbor, then in the early 90s they downsized to Tiffany’s Restaurant. He and Joyce later worked at Atlantic Oaks and Geddy’s Pub. Bill was most recently working with Joyce as the kitchen director/ cook at Downeast Family YMCA and childcare food program. He was known as “Mr. Bill.” Bill’s true love was his family. He enjoyed family weekends at camp, where they lived, and especially pulling the kids on a tube behind the party boat. Every evening was celebrated with a sunset cocktail cruise on the pond with family, friends and special neighbors. In the winter they enjoyed ice-fishing together and the bonfires at camp were always a good time. He was an avid hunter and golfer. Bill was a member and past president of Lion’s Club, volunteer firefighter with Bar Harbor Fire Department as part of the ladder company, member of Knights of Columbus and Elks Club.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Joyce (Smith) Carey; daughters, Ann-ette Klaver and husband, Bill, Tammy Dow and husband, David, and Cindy Walls and husband, Bruce; son, William Carey Jr. and partner, Dennis Rivera; grandchildren, Jessica Dow and fiance, Alex Wiken, Tiffany, Dacota and Molly Dow, Katy, Andrew, Elliott and Natalie Klaver, Whitney Taylor and Benjamin Walls; as well as countless other surrogate children and grandchildren with special recognition to Paul Higgins and his family.
Calling hours will be held 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at Jordan-Fernald, 48 Eden St., Bar Harbor. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 21 Ledgelawn Ave., Bar Harbor, with Father John O’Hara, celebrant. A reception to celebrate Bill’s life will be afterward at the Masonic Hall, 18 High St., Bar Harbor. Private interment will be at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Bar Harbor. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been set up in Mr. Bill’s memory to provide food assistance for children at Downeast Family YMCA, Mr. Bill’s Food Fund, care of Jean Wood, P.O. Box 25, Ellsworth, ME 04605. Condolences may be expressed at
www.jordanfernald.com.