Louis R. Carrier Sr.

Louis “Lou” Raymond Carrier, Sr. joined his beloved wife, Betty, on Monday morning, February 21, 2022, passing peacefully in the company of family and his best friend in his winter home in Naples, Florida. He is survived by his 8 children; Mary Beth and Jeff Goldman of Duxbury, David and Lily Carrier of Ada, MI, Mark and Cheryl Carrier of Reston, VA, Kristine and Dave Cleary of Pembroke, John and Karen Carrier of East Dennis, Laura and Hal Horvat of Cranston, RI, Lou and Beth Anne Carrier of Hopkinton, and Tim Carrier and Nicole Wiederaenders of Denver, CO, 19 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. The legacy of Lou and Betty lives on through the close bond of the family, their many great friendships, contributions to the Catholic Church and service to the community. Throughout his nearly 97 years he served as Christ’s example for how to live a full and blessed life.

Quick with a smile, a story, and a joke, Lou brightened the lives of his many dear friends and his extended family. Coupled with his engaging demeanor, he always maintained a moral code of doing the right thing the right way and served as a role model for his family and those around him.

His life’s journey began in Rhode Island in a family of French descent. Lou’s early life included working in his father’s laundry business, attending Mount St. Charles preparatory school before serving in the US Navy during World War II with nearly 12 years on active and reserve duty. He graduated from Champlain College with a degree in English. A love of photography came from his Navy experience, resulting in a catalogued trove of wonderful memories.

The most important element of his life was his courtship and marriage to his wife, Betty. Their love for each other, shared faith, and commitment to family was demonstrated by a loving partnership that reached 56 years. They shared great friends as well as guiding a family of eight to success. Lou expressed that his greatest pride in life was his children and grandchildren. His devotion to his family included a 17-year period of teaching school during the day and then working the night shift at the Narragansett Brewery while earning his Masters Degree from the Rhode Island College of Education. He worked first as a junior high teacher in Providence and was the first elementary guidance counselor in Rhode Island. As a school psychologist in the Harwich schools, he devoted his career to the educational growth and emotional well-being of students with particular focus on those most vulnerable. It was his calling as much as a profession.

A window into Lou Carrier was his passion for woodworking. He practiced this art form through decades of craftsmanship with a painstaking commitment to preciseness his five sons found impossible to match. The creation of hundreds of pieces of personal expression have become heirlooms to his family and the many friends to whom he gifted his masterpieces. Lou was blessed to have his dearest friend, woodworking partner, and faithful confidant, Marty Gauthier praying over him as he passed.

Lou’s commitment to community service was an inspiration. He was a Lion, Knight of Columbus, and a board member on countless town and county committees. Being called to the highest levels of leadership, community service was a mission of fulfilling goals to the benefit of those he committed himself to serve. He took the Lions Club motto, “We Serve” quite literally. He was a faithful Catholic, parishioner, and active leader in the congregations of Saint Michael the Archangel in Providence, RI, Our Lady of the Cape, Brewster, MA, and Saint John the Evangelist, Naples, FL. In each parish, Lou could be counted on to serve and participate with the liturgy, priests, and fellow parishioners. He was a Eucharistic Minister, leader of the Parish Council, and champion of countless initiatives within his parish communities. Everybody knew Lou. It was impossible not to know Lou. A trip to the store took twice as long as he stopped to chat with everyone and always managed to find someone to converse with in French.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 11 am at Our Lady of the Cape Church on Stony Brook Road in Brewster, MA. Burial will follow the mass at Oak Ridge Cemetery, South Dennis, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Dennis Harwich Lions Foundation, PO Box 41, Dennis Port, MA 02639.