Obituary: Rev. John Carr, 91, Of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — (From Wallingford Funeral Home): Rev. John Carr died peacefully at his home in Wallingford, CT, in the company of his beloved wife, Maggie. He was born in Carbondale, PA, in the middle of a spring blizzard, to Alden and Isabella Carr. He spent his early childhood in Lake Como, PA, then Hancock and Hunter, NY, and, at age 10, moved to Derby CT, where he began his life-long involvement in both scouting and Methodism.

He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1953, and from Yale Divinity School in 1957, which he followed with an STM degree in 1968. His calling took him first to the parish ministry, in churches in Hauppauge, NY and North Haven CT, and, later, into positions in hospital chaplaincy at Yale New Haven Hospital and Gaylord Hospital. He loved teaching, and had many students over the years who he helped guide in their own work as chaplains.

His work as a minister was inextricable from his commitment to social justice, and he remained a fierce and dedicated advocate and activist throughout his life. From marching in Selma, to his work on disability rights, to his support of reconciling congregations who seek to assure full inclusion for LGBTQ members, he was unequivocal in his insistence that all people deserve grace, and dignity.

He loved having come from Derby, and was proud and honored to be an Eagle Scout.

He also loved peanut butter, pizza (sometimes peanut butter with pizza), books, the New York Yankees, and the company of excellent cats, the last of whom, Grover, predeceased him in 2013.

In addition to his wife, Maggie, he is survived by his children, David and Karen, and their spouses, Lorraine and Russell. He also leaves 5 grandchildren, whom he adored, and who were delighted to know and love him as “Pop”: Brendan, Noah, Caeli, Joshua, and Nathaniel.

Calling hours will be from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at the Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N Main Street Ext, Wallingford, CT 06492.

All are welcome at a Memorial celebration of John’s life, on Sunday, October 1, at 2pm, at Faith United Methodist Church, 81 Clintonville Rd, North Haven, CT.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to First and Summerfield United Methodist Church, 425 College Street, New Haven, CT 06511, or Southern Poverty Law Center, Mail Processing Center, SPLC, PO Box 8952, Topeka, KS, 66608-8952.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.