Gerald R. Carey Sr.

SHUTESBURY - Gerald R. Carey, Sr. (1930 – 2021) Born in Leverett 91 years ago, passed away on June 8th with family at his side. 

He was the son of the late Raymond and Gertrude Carey.  He will be greatly missed by his huge family.  Gerry was one of seven children, and also had seven children with his wife of almost 67 years, Charlotte. He leaves his sons Kevin (Kathy) and Gerald Jr. of Shutesbury, Michael (Ellen) of Amherst, daughters Deborah O‘Brien, Vickie Lauder (David), and Lynda Vassallo (Robert) all of Shutesbury.  He also leaves siblings Lois Coffin, Lora Leduc, and Wayne Carey.  In addition to their children, Gerry and Charlotte had 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Gerry was predeceased by his wife Charlotte Farley Carey, a daughter Lila Cleveland, a granddaughter Jessica Hayes, brothers Norman “Doug” Carey, Raymond Carey II, and his sister Marjorie Fellows.  He will be remembered as a sweet, funny family man. 

He graduated from New Salem Academy and attended UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture before taking a job as head herdsman at the Shuttleworth Farm on Coy Hill in Warren.  He moved to Shutesbury in the 50’s and started his own farm with white face Herefords and Black Angus cows, chickens, and other animals. 

He worked night shift for many years at Rodney Hunt in Orange, and he owned and operated a lumber business with his father.  After his father’s passing, Gerry operated the lumber business with his 3 sons and his brother Wayne.  

Gerry served on Shutesbury’s Select Board.

He was an avid reader. He was a serious sports enthusiast, especially engrossed by the Red Sox from the early era of Ted Williams.  On his final day he was told of the Sox sweeping the Yankees. 

When he was younger he played on the local slow pitch softball team in his spare time, the Shutesbury Athletic Club.  Family vacations when his children were young often involved tenting adventures. 

In retirement Gerry and Charlotte spent many winters traveling by RV to Florida.  They met and made many friends along the way as they used Coast-to-Coast RV camping.  All of his family and friends have fond memories of being with Gerald, from Sunday drives with everyone in a Ford Country Squire wagon, to big family gatherings, and especially one-to-one quiet times. 

In his last days he reflected back on having had plenty of fun in his life.  The family thanks all of his kind caregivers who helped him in the last 3 weeks, especially the staff on the 3rd floor at Wesson and the 5th floor Neurologic Critical Care at Daly. 

Donations in Gerald’s memory may be made to the Shutesbury Firefighters Association 42 Leverett Rd Shutesbury 01072 or to the Shutesbury Community Church Accessibility Fund P. O. Box 679 Shutesbury 01072.

As per Gerald’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. 

A graveside memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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