Town Honors Former Town Manager

Richard Carney Sr. was town manager for 40 years in Shrewsbury and was a pioneer in the industry.

"I think Mr. Carney was an individual suited to do the work they do," said Shrewsbury Town Dan Morgado about Carney. "He was a pioneer in a relatively new job that was created after World War II."

Morgado worked with Carney at the beginning of his career in 1980. "It was an extraordinary learning experience on how professional management could be done," he said. "There was a period of tremendous growth in the town in the late 1950s and 1960s and Carney and his generation were at the ground zero of everything that makes this town great today."

Morgado said Carney was a strong believer that the government should create the infrastructure in a town and then let the private sector do what they do and help the residents have a better quality of life.

"He believed the town should build the infrastructure (schools, public works, public safety) and then get out of the way," Morgado said. "In essence set the table and then let people pursue their best interests."

Morgado said thanks to Carney and his legacy, the town is run conservatively, and is fiscally careful when it comes to the infrastructure.

"He was a great person to learn from and work with and he part of what made this community a great place to live," Morgado said.

SELCO General Manager Michael Hale also worked very closely with Carney while he was assistant town manager.

"Far more important to me than what he taught me about the business of local government was the values and principles I learned by just being around him," Hale said. "He was honest, understated, polite-mannered, patient and extremely principled. He was steady and even keeled, never showing anger, frustration or stress—even if it was eating him up inside."

Hale said that by observation, he learned the importance of listening and understanding before reacting to the multiple situations he confronted in a given day.

"He was a statesman and a true gentlemen," Hale added. "The best I have ever met and one that I am so fortunate to have grown professionally and personally under his gentle guidance. I will miss his occassional visits to check in on Dan (Morgado) and me—those were cherished moments. Dan and I grieved together privately upon notice of his passing—like two sons who had lost a parent. Mr. Carney will be missed."

The Shrewsbury Lantern also posted a tribute to Carney.

The funeral services will be held at Britton Funeral Home in town.