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JOHN L. CAREY

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Boston College Brandeis University College of the Holy Cross St. Bonaventure University University of Wisconsin

JOHN CAREY Obituary

CAREY--John (Jack) Leonard, of Manhattan died peacefully on January 7, 2014 at the age of 83, with his wife at his side. John was born in Millville, Massachusetts in 1930 to Leonard and Molly. In 1947, as the first person in his family to finish high school, he graduated as valedictorian from St Mary's of Milford, and received a full scholarship to attend the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. During this time he developed his lifelong passion for literature, and received a Master's in English from Boston College in 1952. John then enrolled in a Ph.D program in English at the University of Wisconsin, but left in 1953 to enter the Catholic priesthood. He was ordained as a Franciscan friar after six years, and as Father Alfred Augustus, served in the priesthood for ten years. He returned to Wisconsin and completed his Ph.D in 1965, then worked as a friar and professor at St. Bonaventure University and Brandeis University until 1969. He left the priesthood that year, and in 1970 married his beloved wife Dorothy. John spent the final 33 years of his career at Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, New Jersey, a school whose students, faculty and staff he loved. He was well known for his dynamic lectures, particularly on Shakespeare and Chaucer. John lived in Manhattan from 1970 until his death, and he and Dorothy raised their two daughters in the West Village. John's greatest passions were his family, Bloomfield, his books, and the Boston Red Sox. He will be missed for his wit, intelligence, and, most of all, his devotion to those he loved. He is survived by his wife Dorothy; daughter Michelle Carey and son-in-law Navin Pant of New York; and daughter Megan Carey of New York. Funeral services will be held at St. Luke's in the Field (487 Hudson Street) on Saturday, January 18th at 2pm; all are welcome. Donations in his memory can be made to the John L. Carey Scholarship Fund at Bloomfield College.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Jan. 10, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for JOHN CAREY

24 Entries

Lucy Santos

May 23, 2025

Dr. John Carey was my English professor at Bloomfield College. I remember how he taught Shakespeare's plays in such a unique way. He read them just like a Shakespearean actor on stage. No doubt he could have been an actor, but he chose the teaching profession and touched many lives. His classes were never boring, but always exciting like watching a Broadway Shakespeare play. Dr. Carey's classes helped unleash my creativity inspiring me to write, my first children's book, The Book That Saved Beth. Thank you Dr.Carey for being one of the best professors that I ever had.

Dorothy Carey, widow

January 4, 2024

This Sunday, January 7, 2024, will be the 10-year anniversary of John´s death. Our younger daughter Megan married Mike Maino in March of 2020, in a park, due to covid. Their son, Henry Carey Maino, was born on November 1, 2023. Our 3rd grandchild. He is missed.

Maytén

January 29, 2021

Dear Dorothy, my name is Maytén (Ms. Sánchez); we met during Dr. Carey’s retirement party at Bloomfield College. I was an imperfect yet devoted student of Dr. Carey's in the late nineties and a proud and grateful recipient of the John L. Carey Scholarship Fund. I had a dream last night with my beloved Dr. Carey and decided to do a search for him as soon as I woke up this morning. This obituary is the first thing I came upon, and I am so grateful to you for keeping this link alive, as it has given me a chance to connect with my dear professor’s life again despite the passing of time and physical distance. I am writing this from Peru, my native country, where I have been living and working since 2007. I left my position as Admission Director at Bloomfield College in 2007 and returned to my country to establish an arts-based community education project in my childhood neighborhood that has transformed, filled and enriched my life in ways I could never have imagined. I know Dr. Carey would be proud.

As a first-generation immigrant and English learner, I was still wrestling with the intricacies and proper use of the written academic English language when I took my first Shakespeare class with your husband. Needless to say, Shakespeare’s language represented a monumental challenge for me, but one that I took on happily after your husband’s rich and passionate love for Shakespeare moved my own humanity to its core and made of me a total Shakespeare fan and a loyal student of Dr. Carey. The patience, care, understanding, humor and generosity I received from your husband were a true and needed gift to me, even when he reprimanded me for being late to his class or pointed out my awkward use of the English language.

I recall stumbling into your husband’s morning classes, exhausted from my all-night waitressing shifts, and at times, even crawling under a table that I am sure he placed by the door specifically for me, excited nonetheless to have a front row seat to my professor’s play-like Shakespeare lessons and to his typical remark: “You will be late to your own funeral, Ms. Sanchez” followed by his awesome laughter. Dr. Carey filled every Shakespeare word with humanity, and I always felt I had the best seats in the house to learn the greatest lessons in life from him.

Dr. Carey’s immeasurable impact will never be forgotten and will always be held dear by so many of us, his students, spread around the world, remembering him and working to touch, transform, and help improve the lives of many amazing people.

Today, feeling so moved by the memory of your husband, our beloved professor, I want to thank you and your daughters for sharing him with us. I also want to honor Dr. Carey’s beautiful life, his loving commitment to teaching, and the profound impact he had on my life personally. As a community educator, many challenges arise for me, and I often call upon Dr. Carey’s spirit and memory to help strengthen my own work. Please know that this immigrant, first-generation college student, and new English speaker far away in Peru will always honor your husband and father’s spirit and teaching legacy in her own daily work and life. I want to extend a sincere invitation to you and your family to come visit me in Peru, once traveling is a safe possibility, and ask that you kindly send me your e-mail address so that we can connect during my next trip to the United States. Hoping you and your family are navigating these strange and complex days with serenity and a sense of possibility. Warm embraces to you, Mrs. Carey. Maytén Sánchez Ruiz

Dorothy Carey

January 4, 2021

Well, in a couple of days it will be 7 years since John died. Much has happened: Michelle and Navin now have 2 wonderful daughters. Sarina turned 5 in March, and Mira (we call her Mimi) turned 3 in November. And Megan married her beloved Mike on March 26th of this year, in a park! A Zoom wedding, as we knew the July 18th big event could not happen. It has been postponed again from 2021, so now is scheduled for March 26, 2022. I am ok, not thrillingly happy, but still healthy and productive. I can’t complain.

Dorothy Carey

January 4, 2020

Dear Family and Friends, this Tuesday, January 7th, it will be 6 years since Johns death. I think that myself and my family are doing as well as could be expected. 2 granddaughters have been born, our younger daughter will get married this July, and I am coping. But gosh, John is missed. Love Dorothy

Kevin Liddane

July 12, 2014

Dorthy, Michelle, and Megan,
I was a student of John's when I attended Bloomfield college in the late 70's, the sign of a great teacher is how their voices and lessons stay with you for decades. Even today I remember classes, Johns incredible animation, and how he brought literature to life. I also remember him as a kind mentor to a college kid who was trying to find his way. I just learned of his passing when I received an alumni magazine today, thank you for sharing this gracious man he will be missed, but more importantly, he will be remembered.
Kevin Liddane (BC student 1976-81)

Jay McGovern

April 2, 2014

I second the statements made by Joe Domino and also remember our afternoon with Dr Carey a few years ago (I still cannot call him John as he insisted we do). It will always be a cherished memory. I am only sorry I did not make it over to the City to see him more often. But like Joe said, we were just flattered that he remembered the two of us. We should have known better, knowing the kind of man he was and how important his students were to him. I think of him often, usually when reading some dumb book he undoubtedly would have growled about as only he could, and will continue to do so with great respect and admiration. To a great extent he made me the reader I am today and I will be forever grateful

My deepest sympathy to his wife and daughters.

Joseph Domino

April 1, 2014

I just learned of Dr. Carey's passing. As an English major I had him for several courses from 1972-74. He was a great source of inspiration through his wealth of knowledge, wit and sense of humor. I never forgot him and during a trip back to the northeast in 2004, I and another friend looked him up and shared a drink and reminisced for a few hours. We were flattered that he remembered us. I still have textbooks from his classes with notes in the margins taken from his lectures. Of course he will be missed and I will never forget him.

Kimberly Tubbs

April 1, 2014

I just learned of Dr. Carey's passing he was one of the best professors I ever had in College or Gr, he made Shakespeare entertaining!!! He truly cared about his students, he allowed me to bring my two year old son to class when I didn't have a babysitter thanks to Dr. Carey I was able to graduate from Bloomfield in 2002, I'm glad no one ever really dies we just transition to another form of energy.
May God Bless his family and give them strength.

Lisa Rabinowitz

March 2, 2014

Dear Dorothy,
I am sorry to be signing in here months after John's passing. I retired from Bloomfield two years ago, and unfortunately, I was no longer in email touch and had not heard. John was a very special man, a true-blue colleague, someone whom we all trusted, always. I admired him not only for his love of the College and our students and colleagues, but for his "rightness," his sense of justice in issues large and small. From my earliest years as a faculty member at BC, I considered him a touchstone. And, of course, I also counted on him to provide humor in the dullest of circumstances (conducting faculty business).

My love to you and your daughters and families and many thanks to John.

Lisa Rabinowitz

Deborah Raimo

February 19, 2014

I am saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Carey. I was an English Literature major in the 1980's at Bloomfield College and had the privilege of being in many of Dr. Carey's classes. His lectures were amazing to say the least - he had the ability to embody each and every character - especially when we were analyzing the works of James Joyce. It was almost as if he were on stage and we were his audience. Dr. Carey often spoke of his family in a kind and loving manner. As Barry Sussman said in an earlier entry in this guest book, Dr. Carey was the embodiment of professor. But he was also a gentlemen who I remember as a kind compassionate person who really cared about his students.

Kris Barron

February 7, 2014

Dear Dottie,
It was tremendously thoughtful of you to send me word of John's passing. While his gift of Shakespeare is a mighty and lasting thing, through that gift he gave me a self-confidence and direction which remains today. Your life with him has certainly been full of love and humor; and your loss must be immeasurable. I am so sorry.

Mary Lynch

January 30, 2014

Dorothy,Michelle and Megan,
Thank you for sending me the wonderful obituary.It was my honor to take an English class from John at St.Bonaventure. It is also a fond memory of visiting your summer home,where John was such a gracious and warm host. I am so sorry for your great loss.

January 27, 2014

Dorothy, Michelle, & Megan,
My deepest condolences to your family during this incredibly difficult time. I hope that your many fond and joyful memories of John and your family will be a source of comfort amidst your grief. I will always remember his gift for storytelling, his humorous wit, his passion for history, and his kind and generous spirit. He will be missed tremendously by all who knew him. Sending you much love.

Warm regards,
Kalyani Fernando

cheryl schoenwandt

January 19, 2014

My condolences to you and your family Dorothy.it is a beautiful obituary.and i hope everyone can have a wonderful life of years with someone as you and your husband did.

January 15, 2014

Dearest Megan,
Your BBBS family is thinking about you and your family during this most difficult time.

January 12, 2014

Dear Dorothy, Michelle and Megan,

Our most heartfelt condolances to you. Your loss is great. May you be comforted by all the good memories and be surrounded at this time of grief by all who love you.
Johanna and Sergio Burani

January 11, 2014

Dottie,
Our sorrow at hearing of Jack's passing was heartfelt. We know of your tremendous loss which is shared albeit in a different measure by us all who knew and loved him.
Jack and Connie Klock

January 10, 2014

Dear Dorothy, Michelle & Megan,
It is with a great sense of loss when we heard of John's passing. We wanted to let you know that you have our greatest sympathy and our hearts are truly saddened. John was more than just a wonderful person, he was always kind and considerate. I remembered John offering to walk Bryant home in nursery school when I wasn't able to pick him up and John stayed with him until I came home.
May the memories brings you comfort and peace. I have learned that we never lose the people we love - even to death - they continue to participate in every act, thoughts, and decision we make. Their love leaves a lasting imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing our lives have been enriched by sharing their love.

Our warmest condolences
Vicki & Bryant Yee

Barry Sussman

January 10, 2014

I always showed up early for his lectures, not wanting to miss a word. The first time I heard him speak was the inauguration of the new president of Bloomfield College. He spent 15 minutes introducing the keynote speaker, Senator Frank Lautenberg. When the Senator stepped up to the podium all he said was, "What do I say after Dr. Carey?" I was hooked and took several courses with him, each one leaving me as a better person. The last lecture I attended was about Gettysburg.
He will live forever in the thoughts he shared with his students who pass them on to future generations and they will follow suit. He was the embodiment of Professor.
"“His life was gentle; and the elements
So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, this was a man."
(Julius Caesar, Act V, sc. v, ll 81 - 83).

January 10, 2014

Dear Dottie and family,
John will be remembered with great pride and honor. It was a pleasure to have known him.
Extending my sympathies.
Janet Garzieri ( 1969)

Claudia Silbert

January 10, 2014

Most sincere condolences.

January 10, 2014

DOROTHY MICHELLE AND MEGAN....ALL ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY WHEN THE KIDS WERE IN THE CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP. VIVIDLY REMEMBER JOHN...HIS LAUGH THE STORIES TIMES AT THE SHORE. LIFE WELL LIVED..NOW HOME TO GOD.

MARY-ANNE BRADY-BENNETT MATT LARSEN

Meg and Jim Ford

January 10, 2014

Dottie... We are sorry to hear about John. He was one of the best teachers I ever encountered and still lives large in Bonaventure lore. Our condolences to you and your daughters.

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