Richard Carr

1927 - 2018

Carr, Richard (Dick)
Richard (Dick) Stewart Carr, Jr., 91, beloved husband of Sarah (Sally) Hughes Carr, longtime resident of Guilford, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 23, 2018. Born to Richard S. and Sara (O'Neall) Carr in Evanston, IL, who later settled in New Canaan, CT, young Dick arrived in New England with the hurricane of '38, and later graduated from St. Luke's School, New Canaan.
After St. Luke's, in 1944, Carr enlisted in the Army Air Force, beginning active duty in '45 in basic training as a Remote Controlled B-29 Turret mechanic. He was discharged when the European conflict of WWII ended later that year.
Attending Dartmouth College, after his military service, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geology (class of 1949). A foot-loose tour of Europe followed, by bike and train for several months. Then, having previously worked as a roustabout, he headed out to Texas, later Arkansas, to work as a geologist for Lion Oil Company. In 1951, he married his life-time beloved, Sarah (Sally) Jay Hughes, from New Canaan, CT. The first two children, boys, were born in El Dorado, AK, before the couple moved back to the East coast, where three more followed, two daughters and one more boy. In 1957, Dick and Sally Carr bought a "Fixer-Upper" Colonial saltbox, now over 300 years old, at 58 Fair Street in Guilford, CT, where they settled and raised their family.
Over time, as an independent Manufacturer's Sales Representative and distributor, Mr. Carr established Carr Associates Inc. and Stewart Engineering Ltd, and, later, with his wife, Carr Travel Inc. in Branford, CT. All three enterprises were built on superb customer service, impeccable integrity and building lasting friendships with clients.
A great lover of music, particularly Strauss waltzes and Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, and a baritone, Dick sang leading roles for the Wilton Choral Club in their Gilbert & Sullivan Troupe, and also served as President for the Club.
An accomplished equestrian from a young age, he was an early member and captain of the famed New Canaan Mounted Troop, fourth regiment of the Junior Cavalry of America, a top notch precision riding group, with a focus on mastery of horsemanship, and youth leadership training. The New Canaan Troop (still in existence today) was founded by young Carr's riding instructor and mentor, the renowned 20th c. American equestrienne and author, Margaret Cabell Self. Mr. Carr became a riding instructor himself in time, during his early years in Guilford.
Always an avid outdoorsman, an early member of Guilford Sportsmen's Association, adept at hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, sailing, and interested in the development of youth, he devoted many years to mentoring as longtime Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 471 in Guilford.
Under Mr. Carr's leadership, Troop 471 became skilled at backpacking, before it was all the rage, and accustomed to venturing out no matter what the weather for weekend outings every month, even in the snows of winter; and, enjoyed annual canoe trips, quietly exploring what was around the next bend of rivers - from the Adirondacks in New York to the rivers of New Hampshire and Maine. The older boys learned to be leaders as they planned the year's activities and helped younger scouts under their charge. Troop 471 became known also for its community service, as well as its distinctive uniforms and formation marching and signaling.
As he was keenly interested in wildlife and nature conservation, Mr. Carr became a founding member of the Guilford Land Conservation Trust.
Dick and Sally were also strongly committed to their role as stewards of their Colonial house on Fair Street, and its place in early American history. With the enlistment of their kids, they spent decades devotedly restoring it, bit by bit, and researching its history, grateful to call it home for 57 years, until 2014, when they passed that stewardship on to new owners. Since then, they have resided at The Hearth at Tuxis Pond, in Madison, CT.
They were longtime members of Christ Episcopal Church in Guilford, where he served many years on the vestry and as senior warden, under the Rev. Bradford B. Locke. In recent years, they became founding members of Christ Church Anglican of Branford, CT, which Dick repeatedly declared his spiritual home, enjoying to the last the spiritual communion of his church family and endeavoring to support them as best he could.
Up to his final days, countless families and individuals have benefitted from Dick Carr's generosity of heart, genuine love and interest in them as individuals, his personal commitment to uplift others in any way he can, his wisdom and tireless service, to his church, his neighbors and his community.
Mr. Richard S. Carr, Jr. is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sally Carr (Sarah Hughes Carr), of The Hearth at Tuxis in Madison, CT, and was preceded in death by brother John O'Neall Carr; daughter Elizabeth Deming Carr and grandson Wilem Johannes Yorke. He is much-loved Dad to Richard (Lynne) S. Carr, III of Reno, NV; David (Espie) B. Carr of Santa Barbara, CA; Margaret (Lui) Deák of Reseda, CA and Michael (Lisa) M. Carr of Madison, CT and forever beloved "Grandad" to his ten grandchildren and four great-granchildren.
Friends are invited to visitation on Sunday, March 4, 2018, from 2-5 p.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford, CT. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 5, 2018, 11 a.m. at the Madison Winter Club, 251 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT. Conducted by Christ Church Anglican). In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Christ Church Anglican, 965 West Main St., Branford, CT 06405, Mr. Carr's dedicated church family.
To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com