John Hansen Carey

From his birth in Rocky River, Ohio, John’s life unfurled like a sail in wayward winds, on journeys near and far each more exotic by his retelling. He was kind, forgiving and generous in ways his family, friends and mates will always treasure.

After a summer painting Great Lakes iron ore vessel hulls, John entered Carnegie Mellon University and joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon in 1960, making lifetime fraternity brothers. CMU conferred his Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering / Applied Space Sciences in 1968.

John’s embarked on his career as research scientist, engineer and consultant in acoustics. A registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania (and later in Quebec), he worked at the American Standard and Westinghouse Research Centers. Following his heart to Montreal where he met Diane in 1973, John applied his knowledge and infectious enthusiasm to Eastern Canada technical sales for Brüel & Kjær, a leading company in the sound and vibration industry.

Immersed in a new culture and language, John quickly learned French. He was Invited Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the French-speaking École Polytechnique de Montréal, where he taught a new noise control course in 1978. His consulting career resumed in 1979 as he directed the creation of a new Noise and Vibration Control Department at Groupe SNC (now SNC-Lavalin).

John returned to the United States in 1983. He became the Director of Marketing and Sales for Larson Davis in Provo, Utah. Under his leadership, Larson Davis worldwide sales grew tenfold. He had judicious talent for discovering and nurturing valuable sales partners. Many of them became friends, sharing professional and personal accomplishments. John’s stories of his many travels and his impersonations delighted all who knew him.

His passion for the sea began when his father Ralph owned a sailboat at the Cleveland Yacht Club. John later sailed in Polynesia, Tahiti, and the Caribbean with his wife Diane and at times his children. Just days before leaving us, he vividly recalled a stormy Lake Erie race when he could not walk straight after stepping off the boat. Whether diving into a cave filled with moray eels, being temporarily blinded by jellyfish, or so suddenly facing the inevitable, John displayed stoic courage and inner strength until the end.

John leaves his dear wife, Diane Carey, their four children, Hélène, Francine, Robert and Guillaume; his grandchildren, Jean-Sébastien, Julie, Geneviève, Axelle, Fiona and Adélaïde. He is also survived by his sister Chris and her husband David, his first wife Susan and children Robin and Becky.

We express our gratitude for the caring hearts of the Treasure Coast Hospice staff who shared John’s last days. Donations may be made to the Skin Cancer Foundation in lieu of flowers. A celebration of John’s voyage in this world will be held at a later date in Montreal, Canada.