THOMASTON — Henry R. (Hank) Carey, 88, of Thomaston, lost his battle with cancer on Oct 8, 2021 surrounded by loving family.  

Henry was born June 24, 1933 in Salem, Massachusetts to Albert and Carrie (Stevers) Carey. He was a 1951 graduate of Mt Abram HS in Kingfield, Maine and attended Farmington State Teachers College for two years before entering the Army and serving in Korea from 1953 to 1955. He returned to Farmington and graduated with a BS in education in 1957. He also received his M.Ed in Earth Science at Penn State University, completed doctoral course work at the University of Maryland and was  a member of PHI DELTA KAPPA.

Henry married Joyce E. Blakney on June 21, 1953, and together they had six children: Sandra, Michael, Patti, Jeffrey, Terry and Stacy.

After Joyce’s death in 1989, he married Anita (Burton) Carey on December 29, 1990. The family grew by adding Daniel, Barbara and Jerome Morris.

After Anita’s death in 1993, he married Lucy (Haynes) Carey on Jan 7 and 8,1994 in Germany. Lucy brought Bruce Wiles, Scott Wiles and Alison Hamlin.

Henry is survived by his wife, Lucy Carey, children: Sandra Thompson (Daniel), Michael Carey (Katherine), Patti Carey (Peg Gandy), Terry Hunt (James), Stacy Burch (John), Bruce Wiles, Scott Wiles (Maryann), Alison Hamlin (Thomas), Daniel Morris (Cathy), Barbara Morris, and Jerome Morris. Grandchildren: Michelle Thompson, Helen and Collin Carey, Lyndsey, Jeremy, Jacqueline and Rachel Carey, Emily and Henry Hunt, Julia Delano (Samuel), Hayley Burch, Tiffany Janvrin (Eugene), Emily Hamlin, Allison Young and Shannon Young. Great grandchildren: Christopher Thompson (Lindsey), Jasmyne Frappier, Kylynne Cusick, Sean and Sage Carey, Sophia Carey-Garcia, Fenris Griffin, Lucas Ogden, Samuel Delano and Chloe Young; and great great granddaughter, Autumn Frappier. Sister: Alice Leclerc, Brothers: Robert Carey (Theresa), Dexter Carey, John Carey (Joan); sisters-in-law: Mary Carey, Jolanta Mikutis (Chuck), Erma Blakney, Priscilla O’hara. Brother-in-law Jasper Haynes; along with a multitude of generations of nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents and parents-in-law; son Jeffrey Carey; brothers Louis and Albert Carey; brothers-in-law: Joseph Blakney Jr., Joseph Leclerc, Wally O’hara and Ralph Esancy; and sisters-in-law: Patricia Carey, Betsy Esency and Sheila Haynes; as well as nephews and great nephews.

Henry was employed from 1957 until his retirement in 1988 as a teacher in the Thomaston school district and principal of St George Elementary School and Thomaston Grammar School. He was also active as a referee for 20 years, as well as a basketball and softball coach. In 2018 his two year, undefeated basketball team was inducted into the Knox County Sports Hall of  Fame.

Very active in his community, Hank attended the Thomaston Federated Church and served as a deacon. For the town he was Chairman of the Budget Committee for 20 years, Personnel Committee and worked for several years at the polls during elections to name a few. He was chairman and an active worker of the Thomaston Academy for over 20 years.

Henry was a member of the Masons and served in several different capacities including: Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Council, Grand Commander of Knights Templar, 33rd Degree Scottish Rite: Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Worshipful Master, Secretary and District Deputy Grand Master of St George Lodge in Warren, Maine, where he was a 55 year member.

Henry was a member of: Kora Temple, Past-President of Mid-Coast Shrine Club, MP Sovereign of Tammerlane Conclave #4, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine and Deputy Governor of Dirigo York Rite College #103, Knight Masons. He was a Fellow of the Grand College of Rites of the US, member of the Maine Chapter of Knights Preceptor, Maine College of Societas Rosicruciana, Past Commanders Association of Maine, Ivy Chapter #16, OES, past Worthy Patron, and Ark Mariners Oxford Lodge #1.

On a daily basis, Hank could be found on his daily 2 mile walk through town, waving and chatting with whoever he encountered, stopping for his morning coffee and chat at Pick Qwik, catching up with EMS and fire department crews and rounding out his circuit at the town office. He was Grand Marshal of the 4th of July Parade in 2013, received the Spirit of America Award in 2020 and the 2021 annual town report was dedicated to him.

From Alison:  (My brothers and I were in our 20’s when Mom married Hank where she was still teaching in Germany. She called me at work to tell me she was getting married! My first response was “to WHO??!!” I didn’t even know she was dating someone! That someone was Hank.

Hank seemed to join our family of four like he had always been there. He loved our camp in Greenville as much as we did. We have lots of photos of him napping in one of his favorite chairs! One weekend he was the subject of an English class assignment of my Emily’s. “Happy Hippy Hank with half a head of hair” will live in our hearts forever.

Many of us are step-parents. It is usually not an enviable role, but Hank made it look easy. Perhaps it was just the natural teacher in him, but he offered love and advice to us from the beginning. He had no demands, no reservations, no games or hoops to jump through before he gave us his unconditional love. He was always there when we needed him.

I think Hank loved being a father. He certainly had more than 6 children! We also consider ourselves his children and he was our Dad. He will be missed by all of us more than he could ever know.)

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the VA and Hospice workers who became part of the family and provided such wonderful care of dad and the rest of the family. As well as to the education families of SAD 50 and RSU 13, Thomaston Towns people and the hard workers who make the Town work.

 A quote from Henry: “I was given the heart and mind of a teacher. Thanks be to God.”

A Celebration of Life for Henry will be held on Sunday, November 7, 2021, at 2 p.m., at the Thomaston Federated Church, 8 Hyler St., with Rev. Susan Stonestreet officiating. Military, Eastern Star and Masonic honors will be presented. Social distancing and mask requirements will be observed.

Memorial gifts in Henry’s name may be made to your choice of: the American Cancer Society, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island #300, Topsham, ME. 04086  or the Kora Temple Shrine, 11 Sabattus Street, Lewiston, ME. 04240.

Hall’s of Thomaston, 78 Main Street, has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences visit Henry’s Book of Memories at hallfuneralhomes.com.