Donald Carey dies at 68

Donald J. Carey, husband of Mary Ann Carey, District Manager of Community Board 9, passed away on Friday September 5. A long-time employee of Citibank, he was 68 years old.
Carey served as an auxiliary officer with the 106th Precinct beginning in the 1960s.
“During the blackout [in the 60s], he was out helping to direct traffic,” said Mary Ann.
He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
His wife of over 45 years, who referred to him as a “hero to his family,” said that in 1990, while chasing down a mugger in his neighborhood, Carey had a heart attack. His heart was severely weakened, she said.
“The reason I say he was heroic,” Mary Ann said, “was the way he handled this situation.”
Carey had been volunteering at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Elementary School in Ozone Park at the time he fell ill, and the students sent him get well wishes.
“He loved kids,” remembered his wife, who noted that he drove his own children and grandchildren to school.
“Everyone loved him - he was a very good man and had such a good way about him,” she said.
Carey, who was predeceased by his brother Bill, is survived by his wife; two daughters, Ann Marie, a teacher at Divine Mercy Catholic Academy; her husband Henry; and Christine; seven grandchildren, ranging in age from four to 23; and two sisters, Marguerite Metcalf and Suzanne Gross.
Arrangements were handled by the James Romanelli Funeral Home. A Mass of Catholic burial was held at Nativity of the Blessed Mother Church. Interment was at St. John’s Cemetery.
Donations in Carey’s name can be sent to the American Heart Association or to Cornell Medical Center.