James Joseph Carey

James Joseph Carey passed away peacefully at his home on Chichagof Island on August 29, 2022 at the age of 100. He was born on February 23, 1922 to John and Mary Elizabeth (O’Connell) Carey at their home in Whitman, Massachusetts.

James met the love of his life Victoria Silvestri of nearby Hanson while they were attending Whitman High School. The two were married while James was serving in the US Navy during WWII. An avid baseball player, Jim was the starting catcher for his Naval Base team while stationed in Guantanamo, Cuba. He continued his baseball career after the War playing in semi-pro hardball leagues around the South Shore and Cape Cod areas of Massachusetts. Jim and Vicki built a home in Hanson where they raised their seven children.

A gifted artist, he graduated from the Boston Institute of Art in 1951. Jim worked as an enameller, an iconographer creating ecclesiastical art for churches throughout New England, and a technical illustrator for General Dynamics being versatile in many different styles and mediums. He also spent time as a volunteer fire fighter, was a member of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, received his private pilot’s license and had many other interests and abilities.

The Carey’s moved to Alaska in 1978 to join 130 others in pioneering a Christian commune at Game Creek near Hoonah, serving as a lay pastor there for many years. With a keen sense of humor and a strong work ethic Jim led by example, and was beloved by all who knew him. Blessed with a rich Irish tenor voice, a large harmonica collection, and a melodic whistle, music was an important and joyous part of his life. He was generous with his time and talents and loved to gift his artwork to family and friends. He developed a method of painting in watercolor and often in octopus ink on bearbread bracket fungus, selling hundreds of these paintings to travelers from all over the world in the tourist shops in Juneau and Skagway. His later years were spent milking cows, building houses, chopping firewood, gardening, and in service to his community.

Proceeded in death by his wife Victoria, daughters Claudia and Victoria Jr. and sisters Eleanor Pierce and Barbara Lanoue. He is survived by his daughter Donna (David) Austin of Alaska, and his four sons, James Jr. (Marilyn) of Utah, David (Laura) of Texas, Russell (Glenn) of Washington, and Shawn (Marina) of Juneau in addition to his 30 grand, great grand, and great, great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life is planned for May of 2023. James was interred near his home at Game Creek Alaska next to his beloved wife Victoria.