Richard Carney Sr.

Richard Stephen Carney Sr., 83, of Atlanta died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Born Aug. 31, 1927 in New York City, he grew up in St. Petersburg, Fla., where his family moved in hardship after his father contracted tuberculosis. One by one Dick lost his parents and three brothers, and spent four decades as his family's sole survivor -- precious time he was able to raise his own family and enjoy his grandchildren. Early hardship and loss never robbed him of his warmth, openness and bountiful sense of humor. A stranger in line soon became a cohort in a boisterous joke, and every conversation with Dick included a wink and a joshing nudge. He was an Eagle Scout, and proudly served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. In 1949 he graduated from the University of Florida, where, while selling tickets at a football game, he met his beloved wife of 46 years, Caroline Alexander Carney, who preceded him in death. He graduated from the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program and the Rutgers University Graduate School of Banking, while his more recent education included classes at Emory University in history and limerick writing. He worked for the Citizens & Southern National Bank from 1949 to 1987, retiring as senior vice president. He is survived by his children, Richard S. Carney Jr. (Marie), Evelyn C. Wheeler (Greg), and Harold J. Carney(Karen), as well as his four grandchildren, Morgan, Richard III, Allison and Caroline, nieces and nephews. He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and a faithful and active member of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Mercy Foundation at St. Joseph’s Hospital, 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30342. Visitation will be at H.M. Patterson & Son-Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, on Friday from 6-8 p.m., with a Rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Jude the Apostle, 7171 Glenridge Drive, Atlanta.