DANVILLE - John Denis Carey, 86, died July 8, 2010. He was proceeded in death by his wife, Bethel; stepson, David; sisters Cathleen Carey Britting and Maureen Carey Goetz; and parents Honora L. and Victor R. Carey.
He is survived by son Patrick of Danville, and daughter Cathleen (Alton) and granddaughter Carey Treyens of Columbus as well as several nieces and nephews in Ohio, California, and Maine.
John grew up in Braintree, MA and left high school to join the Navy serving through WWII. He received notoriety when his ship was sunk off the coast of Africa and along with his shipmates, he was stranded on an island and ate goat meat with the natives.
After the war, John left the Navy and joined the Coast Guard for nearly 20 years where he retired in 1963 as a chief gunner's mate. He married Bethel Jean Thompson in 1952 in front of the fireplace of her parents' home in Danville, John and Beth bought that home in 1963 and raised Dave, Pat, and Kate there. John lived on that farm until last fall. While in Ohio, John worked for the United States Postal Service and retired after another 20 years of government service.
John was an active and skilled craftsman making furniture, jewelry, baskets, and maple syrup. He was a blacksmith and tinsmith. He brewed his own beer for more than 50 years. His most recent creative work was to carve a 6 foot tall wading bird from a old Elm tree in front of his pond. The bird was a replica of a carving made by a Navy buddy, Ralph Dixon.
The family thanks Hospice of Riverside and the staff at Country Court and Whetstone Gardens for their support.
Interment will be at a late date in the Workman Cemetery at Danville. The Fischer Funeral Home in Danville is handling the arrangements.
