Christopher "Bear" Carmody

Mr. Christopher (Bear) Carmody, age 58 of Inverness, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. Christopher was born April 20, 1964 in Bayside, NY, son of Cornelius and Mary (McHenry) Carmody. Chris graduated Sussex County Vo-Tech in 1982. Later in life he graduated from CHUBB Institute with honors and was extremely proud of his accomplishment there. He worked most of his life at Ashland Chemical as a lab technician, until eventually his kidney failure caused him to go on full-time disability. During the initial stages of kidney failure, as his health began to decline, Chris and his wife underwent surgery where she donated her kidney to elongate the time they had together. Chris was a true family man, but his love for his grandson Cameron was unmatched. They would spend hours playing and laughing together during every visit. Chris’s kind heart also extended to his friendships, many of which were kept throughout his lifetime. He was an honest, loyal, and hilarious man that everyone cherished. Chris had a searing passion for music and loved attending classic rock concerts. Chris enjoyed seeing the world and visiting the Caribbean on cruises with his wife and friends. Christopher and his wife volunteered many hours transporting and fostering hundreds of dogs from kill shelters. He also had a great love for One Step Closer Animal Rescue, Sparta, NJ where his passion for rescue began when he adopted his dog Cheech in 2011. In retirement, Chris moved to Inverness, Florida from Sparta, NJ. Mr. Carmody was a member of the Inverness Lions Club. He was preceded in death by father, Cornelius F. Carmody, and mother, Mary Louise McHenry. Survivors include his loving wife, Vickie Carmody of Inverness, FL, 2 stepdaughters, Laurie Miller FL, Donna Stoll and fiancé Randal Heverly II NJ, his brother, James S. Carmody and sister-in-law Michele Castaldo, his sister Elizabeth Thomas and brother-in-law Robert Thomas, two grandchildren, Cameron Stoll and Randal Heverly III, niece, Jenna Matthews and her husband Ian Matthews, and their children Nolan and Grant, nephews, Rob Thomas, James Carmody II, his beloved dog, Cheech, and many life long friends. Christopher’s family will receive their family and friends at 10:30AM on October 1,2022 at Goble Funeral Home located at 22 Main Street Sparta, NJ 07871. Donations may be made to One Step Closer Animal Rescue in loving memory of him.