Kenneth D. Carney

Kenneth D. Carney, 81 years old, unexpectedly passed away Saturday, June 27th, 2020 at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ from complications of a fall the prior day. Ken was born in Bainbridge, NY on May 17th, 1939 and grew up on his family’s farm in the Mt Upton-Guilford area of NY. While working as a mechanic at Phil Card Chevrolet in Norwich he met the love of his life, Katherine N. (Purdy) Carney who worked in the dealership’s office under the watchful eye of her mother. They were married in 1962 and raised their family in Norwich.

Ken spent the majority of his work life as a truck driver for grocery store operator Victory Markets; for International Brands (Wonder Bread) and later as a currier at NBT. All of which provided him the opportunity to enjoy his lifelong love of driving the open roads and highways of the beautiful central and northern NY state regions, meeting and making friends at every grocery store, warehouse and bank branch on his routes. His cheerful, friendly, kind and outgoing personality was his calling card and he was always quick with a joke or funny story. Ken enjoyed volunteering with his wife for several causes and providing support for friends in need. They were active members of the Alzheimer's Association and helped bring a chapter to Norwich. Ken was a trustee of the Maplewood Cemetery Association in Mt. Upton and a board member of the Guilford Historical Society where he proudly raised funds and helped restore the “old schoolhouse” where his mother was once a student. He was very involved in the lives of his children, supporting them academically, coaching baseball and spending countless hours in the stands at endless swim meets and ballfields. In his later years he enjoyed being a grandfather, spoiling his grandsons and traveling around the country with his wife. His humor, kindness, generosity, love and just being “a good guy” and great role model will live in the hearts and memories of his family and friends forever.

Ken was predeceased by Kathy who passed away earlier this year due to complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. He is survived by his daughter Kim Parks of Hudson NY; his son Kristopher, daughter-in-law Joy and grandsons John and Graham of Summit, NJ; his sister Bertha (Carney) Spathelf, her husband Charles “Chick” of Mt. Upton and their children Stacy Spathelf of West Seneca and Juston Spathelf of Mt. Upton. Ken is also survived by his nephews Patrick Carney, Mark Carney and his wife Zhensan of San Diego, CA. He was predeceased by his parents James Carney and Marcia (Alcott) Carney when he was a teenager as well as his brother Herman James “Jim” Carney who passed away last fall. He was also predeceased by his in-laws, Graham & Evelyn Purdy who he had a very loving and supportive relationship with as well as by many uncles and aunts and family friends including the Ken Hartwell and Hilda Clark families who cared for Ken and his siblings after their parents passed.

The family is planning a memorial service for Ken and Kathy at R.J. Fahy Funeral Home in Norwich later this year with interment at Maplewood Cemetery in Mt. Upton.