Kevin J. Carey

Devoted husband, father, and grandpa, and revered insolvency professional, The Honorable Kevin J. Carey (ret.), passed away suddenly on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at his home in Devon, PA. Kevin is survived by his loving family, including his wife, Denise and his children: Alyssa Shantz (Steve), Erica Shane (Samantha), and Jessica Carey (Thomas). He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Everett, Shepherd, and Amelia; and his beloved cats: KC, Dasher, and Oliver (Ollie).

Kevin was survived and greatly loved by his brothers: Christopher “Chase” Carey (Lisa) and Jaime Carey (Rose), along with his father-in-law, Onofrio Patrone (Betty Jane). In addition, Kevin was loved by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Kevin was preceded in death by his loving father, William B. Carey, Jr., his mother, Elsie G. Spatola, and his brother Sean W. Carey, M.D., Ph.D.

Kevin was born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs of Gladwyne and Doylestown with his three brothers. Their early childhood was spent riding on the front frame of “Big John’s” red tractor. They ran through snowy acres, played baseball, and enjoyed a childhood filled with all the antics that you could imagine three boys would. Kevin followed in his father’s footsteps who ran track in high school at West Catholic and in college at Villanova. He was quite a track star at Central Bucks West in Doylestown, winning many races, and acquired many of the qualities of discipline and dedication that his life would require in the future. He was a successful CB West Band Drum Major.

He earned a B.A. from The Pennsylvania State University in 1976, while also volunteering for student legal services and was a member of the Lion’s Paw and Skull & Bones, prominent honor societies. He earned a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law in 1979. His legal career was marked by a lifelong commitment to justice and education, which were deeply rooted in his early years as a law clerk and later as Clerk of Court of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Kevin ascended to the bench in 2001 when he was appointed a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The title of the Honorable Judge Kevin J. Carey was a perfect fit for such an honorable and deserving man. Shortly after, in 2005, he was appointed to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Over his career, Kevin issued more than 200 reported decisions and presided over several major cases, including Tribune Co. and Exide Technologies. His rulings have helped shape bankruptcy law practice across the nation.

After retiring from the bench in 2019, Judge Carey joined global law firm, Hogan Lovells. He remained active in education, serving as an adjunct professor at St. John’s University School of Law, Temple University Beasley School of Law, and as the Dean’s Distinguished Fellow at his alma mater, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. One of his greatest professional joys was teaching and impacting the next generation of legal minds. Kevin always began each semester at Villanova meeting with his students, individually, to get to know them, personally.

Kevin was the immediate past president of the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) and sat on the executive committee of the ABI Board of Directors. He was a fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, a member of the International Insolvency Institute, and was the first judge to serve as global chair of the Turnaround Management Association. He lectured worldwide on bankruptcy and cross-border issues, and he was a contributing author to Collier on Bankruptcy, the leading treatise on U.S. bankruptcy law.

Judge Carey was not only one of the best bankruptcy judges in the history of the profession, but he was also a deeply knowledgeable and valued colleague, and simply one of the very best people. He was always kind and positive, and eager to advise and assist clients in any way he could. He was an active and eager mentor to junior lawyers and anyone else interested in benefiting from his wisdom. Christopher R. Donoho, III, co-head of the U.S. Restructuring & Special Situations practice at Hogan Lovells, said: “He was the best kind of friend you could ever have and will forever be a legend in the bankruptcy world.”

Kevin has been married to Denise, the love of his life, since 1993. They have enjoyed living in Devon for over 30 years. They have raised three daughters who adored their father, traveled the world together, and shared an everlasting, life-changing, breathtaking love. He was an easy man to love, and he taught his family to love selflessly. While he was a giant in his career, his daughters, Alyssa, Erica, and Jessica saw Kevin as their silly, embarrassing dad who took every opportunity to make his world-famous Daddy breakfasts and infamous onion dip, and to embrace all his children with comforting “Daddy hugs.” His grandchildren fondly knew him as ‘Grandpa Carey,’ the same name his daughters had used for his father. They looked forward to family dinners and holidays that Grandpa and Grandmom Carey hosted, as they were filled with fun, love, laughter, and bubbles. His family is his true legacy.

Kevin loved life and found adventure and richness in every experience. Some of the things he loved best were old movies, history, reading, crossword puzzles (in pen!), and cuddling with the cats he pretended he didn’t want. His most favorite position was relaxing with Denise “in the nook,” whether it was while gazing at a sunset, looking at the stars in the evening, watching a movie at home, chilling on a beach in St. John, USVI, or while falling asleep. He loved to travel, both professionally and personally. However, his home away from home was St. John, USVI. He prided himself on the fact that he was always considered a “local.” He would say that all he needed was to stand barefoot in the sand on the edge of a beach on St. John, USVI or in the BVIs with the love of his life; the sun shining, the fresh air, and the Caribbean rippling beneath.

Kevin brought wisdom, wit, and passion to everything he touched. Kevin will be missed by everyone.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Saint Thomas of Villanova Church (800 E. Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA 19085). Visitation will begin at 9:00 am with Mass to begin at 10:30 am. Luncheon to immediately follow at the Inn at Villanova University/Montrose Mansion.

In lieu of flowers, the Carey family asks that donations be made to the “Kevin J. Carey Memorial Scholarship Fund”. To make a donation in support of the Kevin J. Carey Memorial Scholarship, please send a check to Villanova University at 299 North Spring Mill Road, Villanova, PA 19085 with “The Kevin J. Carey Memorial Scholarship” in the memo. Or you can visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.villanova.edu/careymemorialscholarship__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!J4YmQ_CfkaA6vrv111BOfGqoUTc3FF14P4PeABTXWhil3cMQ5IBy7cZHiiFHAxXd__85AF6MQ4k4Ns6Rkhy8a_2N3JO9QYKV8oOODFY$ .

The Kevin J. Carey Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to academically talented students enrolled in the Charles Widger School of Law at Villanova University with demonstrated financial need.