Obituary: James K. Carney Sr., 66, of Stratford

From William R. McDonald Funeral Home

James K. Carney, Sr., 66, of Stratford, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2017 with his family by his side at Masonicare in Wallingford after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the son of the late Vincent and Mary Carney.

Jim was a 1970 graduate of Stratford High School. He worked several years at Center Auto Supply in Stratford. He also worked for a number of area gun manufacturers and was a licensed gunsmith and a lifelong member of the NRA. Jim was retired from Trans-Lite, Inc. of Milford.

Jim was a member of the Stratford Pal Rifle Club with his cousins Chipper and Pinky. They competed in several National Championships in Camp Perry, Ohio. Jim enjoyed bowling and fishing and was proud of having caught trout on flies he had learned to tie himself. Jim was a car guy and Alan's go-to-guy with any problem. We always seemed to be under a car in the cold and dark but got the job done, thanks to Jim. He was also Heather's trivia night partner.

Jim was very proud of J.J,'s military service and Kevin's strength and him being there for Jim this past year. Jim was a great friend to many with a quick laugh at a good joke or a favorite TV show and never had a malicious word toward anyone. He will be missed by all his friends at Main Street Tavern and the Stationhouse, especially his best friend Joe Caruso. On a lighter note, Jim had a huge appetite and could really put away the food.

Survivors include his children, Kevin Carney and his husband Ray of Stratford, James (J.J.) Carney and his wife Dana of Milford, Heather Carney, Dana Martinez, Jessica Cone and Joshua Cone, and a father figure to Peggy Scalzo; two brothers, Vincent (Skip) Carney of New Hampshire and Alan Carney of Stratford; an aunt, Olga Schmidt; three nephews, Michael, Christopher and Matthew Carney; cousins, Sheila, Edward and Paula; and grandchildren James, Patrick and Emma.

Friends are invited to attend his funeral service officiated by Reverend Scott Lee on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the William R. McDonald Funeral Home, 2591 Main St., Stratford, CT. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. before service time.

A heartfelt thank you to the doctors, nurses and aides on the third floor Sturges of Masonicare for the care and compassion they gave Jim and our family. Dana, there are not enough thank yous for all that you have done these past many months.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim's memory to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Rd., Wilton, CT 06897, www.cancer.org.

For more information or to leave online condolences, visit William R. McDonald Funeral Home here.